A successful daylight robbery went wrong Thursday for three people who Collinsville Police say are believed to be responsible for numerous burglaries in the northern and eastern areas of the city.

Dustin M. Merkel

A resident of Olive Street, in Collinsville, returned home at about 1:55 p.m. Thursday to find his home broken into. Believing the suspects could still be inside, the resident called police, who responded with several officers, police said.

The home had been burglarized, police determined, but the suspects had fled. Another office checking the area saw three males walking through yards. Recognizing one of three from previous interactions with the police department, the officer began to approach the three, who all fled.

Police, however, waited at the known suspect’s home and, a short time later, saw him hiding in the back seat of a car driving past with two other people. After stopping the vehicle, all three occupants were taken into custody.

Detectives found a large quantity of stolen property during the subsequent investigation, police said. Police now believe the three are responsible for numerous recent Collinsville burglaries, which have included homes, vehicles and businesses.

Dustin M. Merkel, 18, was charged with two counts of felony residential burglary. A 17 year-old juvenile was charged with one count of residential burglary, one count of burglary and possession of a stolen firearm.

Additional charges are pending against the Merkel, the juvenile and other suspects, police said.