By Sam Borcia, Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A judge sentenced a woman to probation and ordered her to write an apology letter after she pleaded guilty to burglarizing a jewelry store in Crystal Lake, court records show.

Yvette Fernandez, 35, of the 200 block of Harvey Street in Elgin, was charged in July 2021 with burglary, a Class 2 felony, theft, a Class 3 felony, and criminal damage to property over $500, a Class 4 felony.

A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit said the incident occurred on June 1, 2020.

The complaint said Fernandez damaged a glass front window of Nelson’s Jewelry, 1 Crystal Lake Plaza in Crystal Lake. Fernandez entered the business with the intent to commit a theft, the complaint said.

A glass display case was broken during the burglary.

The complaint said Fernandez stole “numerous” items of jewelry and wrist watches, which had a total value of over $500.

The damage to the glass front window and the glass display case was over $500. Fernandez was arrested in late July 2021 and released on a personal recognizance bond.

Court records show Fernandez entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office. She pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of burglary, a Class 2 felony, in exchange for her other charges being dismissed.

McHenry County Judge James Cowlin approved the plea deal and sentenced Fernandez to 18 months of probation and 100 hours of public service.

Cowlin also ordered Fernandez to write an apology letter to the business.

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.

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