Shoppers at two of Elmhurst's busiest stores saw a burst of police activity as officers arrested at least seven people on retail theft and burglary charges between Monday, Aug. 3, and Wednesday, Aug. 5.
The Jewel-Osco at 944 S. York St. and the Kohl's at 303 S. Route 83 accounted for most of the cases, according to Elmhurst police reports compiled by Patch. Suspects ranged in age from 27 to 76 and came from at least six different towns, including two men who traveled from Nampa, Idaho.
Three of the cases escalated beyond retail theft to burglary, a more serious felony indicating suspects entered a store with intent to steal.
The Kohl's cases
Jose Pacheco Flores, 36, and Jose Lozano Mandujano, 33, both of Nampa, Idaho, were arrested around 2 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Kohl's on charges of burglary, retail theft and possession of counterfeit goods. Police said the men stole fragrances and were found carrying counterfeit Apple products. Both were taken to DuPage County Jail.
A 39-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman from Des Plaines were also arrested at Kohl's around 6 p.m. Wednesday after police said they stole two Philips Norelco shavers. Both went to DuPage County Jail.
York Street Jewel
The Jewel at 944 S. York St. saw three separate incidents. Patryk Karaluch, 32, of Streamwood, was arrested around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday on burglary, retail theft and obstructing an officer charges. Kerry Jones, 54, of Bellwood, was arrested around 12:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, on burglary and theft charges after police said he stuffed a backpack full of alcohol. Both were jailed.
A 76-year-old Lombard man was arrested Wednesday morning for stealing two Fannie May candy bars. He was released.
Schiller Street Jewel
Two Elmhurst men, ages 57 and 32, were arrested Monday at the Jewel at 153 E. Schiller St. on retail theft charges. One concealed vodka in a backpack; the other hid small bottles in his shorts. Both were released.
Prior arrests and police technology
The arrests follow a string of burglary cases at the same Kohl's location in July, including the arrest of a Park Forest woman we reported July 26.
The Elmhurst Police Department's license plate reader program, funded in part through the Illinois Attorney General's Organized Retail Crime Grant, is one tool the department uses to intercept suspects traveling into the city to commit thefts, according to city committee minutes from June 22. Detective Commander Matthew McCollum told the Public Affairs and Safety Committee the cameras have helped interdict stolen vehicles entering Elmhurst to commit burglaries.
"Technology now has really driven a lot of policing, and that's very important," Police Chief Michael McLean said at the July 21 City Council meeting, defending the department's Flock Safety camera contract. "The idea of officers just randomly patrolling and happening upon something in progress is something you see in TV shows."
The council unanimously renewed that contract in July.
Court dates for the suspects taken to DuPage County Jail have not been announced.
