An Aurora man with an extensive criminal history faces a minimum of six years in prison after being convicted for burglarizing a home in northeastern Aurora Township.

Earnest E. Cooley, 47, last address of the 200 block of East New York Street, Aurora, was convicted late Tuesday, July 15, 2014, by a Kane County jury of residential burglary a Class 1 felony.

Sometime after 7:30 a.m. Nov. 8, 2012, Cooley, without the resident’s permission, entered a home in the 1600 block of Bilter Road in unincorporated Aurora Township and stole two digital cameras, a pair of binoculars, coins and other items. Sometime before noon that day, Cooley sold the binoculars and one of the cameras to a pawn shop in the 300 block of Indian Trail, Aurora. Police later discovered the stolen items at the pawn shop and were able to trace them back to Cooley. When questioned by police, Cooley acknowledged that he had entered the home, how he did so, what he stole and where other items were kept in the house.

Circuit Judge John A. Barsanti set Cooley’s next court appearance for 9 a.m. Sept. 12, 2014, for motions and sentencing. Cooley faces a sentence of between six and 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The term is extended because of his criminal history. Cooley was sentenced to 14 years in prison for a 2005 residential burglary in Peoria County. In addition, Cooley was convicted of various burglary charges in Cook County and sentenced to prison five times between 1990 and 2002.

Cooley remains in custody at the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $75,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Alex Bederka and David Belshan.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press release