Additional Burglary Charges for Couple Accused of Robbing Homes While Owners Attended Wakes

The McHenry man and woman accused of robbing homes while owners attended wakes and funerals have been hit with 20 additional burglary-related charges, according McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren.

Jacquelyn S. Buchholz, 24, and Jason Werner, 26, both of 108 Pleasant View Dr., McHenry (northeast of Johnsburg near Pistakee Lake), were each first charged with one count of residential burglary on Sept. 21, for attempting to burglarize a Barrington house twice in one night while the owners were home, police said.

After interviewing the pair, McHenry County Sheriff's investigators said Buccholz and Werner admitted to using obituary notices to plan residential burglaries in McHenry and Boone counties. The duo would strike while homeowners attended the wakes, or funerals of family members.

Nygren issued a press release Friday stating investigators have linked Buchholz and Werner to five additional residential burglaries. Numerous items reported stolen were recovered at pawn and gold-buying franchises in Lake County, Nygren said.

Buchholz and Werner each were charged with five additional counts of residential burglary and five counts of theft. 

Buchholz and Werner are still being held at the Cook County Correctional Facility, and will be transferred to the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility at a later date, Nygren said. 

Bond has been set at $150,000 each for Buccholz and Werner.