GRANITE CITY – Three Granite City residents face felony charges in a series of burglary cases filed in Madison County.
Todd A. Karius, 49, of Granite City, was charged on Nov. 18, 2025 with one count each of residential burglary (a Class 1 felony), theft (a Class 3 felony), and criminal damage to property (a Class 4 felony).
Karius allegedly knowingly entered a Granite City residence without authority and with the intent to commit a theft on Aug. 8, 2025. He is additionally accused of stealing a PlayStation 4 (PS4) gaming system, an electric scooter, and other electronics from the property owner, as well as causing over $500 worth of damage to the same victim’s television.
The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny Karius’s pretrial release from custody. According to the petition, officers responded to a report of a home break-in which resulted in the property damage and theft of various electronics.
“Video showed a subject enter with a flashlight and rummage through the residence while the victim was out of town,” the petition states. “Victim suspected his neighbor, with whom he had issues.”
The petition states Karius later reportedly “admitted to the break in, but denied stealing anything.”
The Granite City Police Department presented the case against Karius, who was ordered remanded to jail for his initial appearance in court.
Two other Granite City residents were separately charged in two connected cases of burglary.
Lela M. Kirkover, 59, and Michael S. Valencia, 54, were both charged on Nov. 19, 2025 with one count each of burglary, both Class 2 felonies. Valencia was additionally charged with a Class 2 felony count of unlawful possession of methamphetamine.
On Nov. 7, 2025, the two allegedly knowingly entered the same Granite City residence without authority and with the intent to commit a theft. Valencia was reportedly in possession of 5-15 grams of methamphetamine at the time of the offense.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office presented both cases against Kirkover and Valencia, both of whom were granted pretrial release from custody.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
