Crystal Lake Man Released Despite 10 Felony Theft Charges This Year, Prosecutor Says: ‘Absurd’

Crystal Lake man released despite 10 felony theft charges this year, prosecutor says: ‘Absurd’

A Crystal Lake man has been accused of 10 thefts this year in McHenry and Kane counties and elsewhere, officials say, and they blame the state's criminal justice reforms for him not being locked up.

'It is absurd': State's attorney frustrated after Crystal Lake man with 12 separate felony cases in year released under SAFE-T Act

Jordan Pena, 32, of Crystal Lake, (left) has been repeatedly released from custody after accumulating 12 separate felony cases since July 2025 in the Chicago area, resulting in McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese (right) speaking out against the Illinois SAFE-T Act. | Photo – Left: Provided; Photo – Right: John Starks (Daily Herald / Pool) The McHenry County state’s attorney says it is “absurd” that a Crystal Lake man, who has racked up…