COOK COUNTY, IL – A Cook County Sheriff’s Police investigation into a fencing operation at a Chicago store led to the recovery of approximately $2.4 million in suspected stolen merchandise and five firearms, Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced today.
On July 2, Sheriff’s Police executed a search warrant at a store in the 2200 block of West Taylor Avenue after an investigation by the Sheriff’s Police Organized Retail Crime Team found store employees knowingly purchased stolen items to resell them to their customers. Officers also learned that store representatives instructed individuals to steal specific apparel, shoes, and fragrances.
While executing the search warrant, Sheriff’s Police officers recovered thousands of suspected stolen items with a retail value totaling approximately $2.4 million. The store is not an authorized dealer for those items, and the Sheriff’s office is working with the manufacturers to determine their authenticity.
Officers also found five firearms, multiple magazines, including an extended magazine and a large capacity drum magazine, and nearly 200 rounds of ammunition.
On July 3, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved felony charges against store owner Darris Kelly and employee Jerry Walker in connection with the stolen merchandise.
Kelly, 44, of Maywood, was charged with Class 2 felony theft. Walker, 50, of Broadview, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, a Class 3 felony, and Class 2 felony theft.
Both men appeared at the George N. Leighton Criminal Court Building on July 4, for initial appearances where they were ordered released from custody. Their next court date is July 26.
The public is reminded that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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