Plainfield Pizzeria Manager Stole Over $100K Through 'Ghost Employees,' Cash Skimming: Police

PLAINFIELD, IL — A longtime manager of Vita Bella Pizza in Plainfield has been accused of stealing more than $100,000 from the restaurant through "ghost employees" and ringing up discounts customers were unaware of, police said Thursday.

The owner of the pizzeria, 12443 S. Route 59, told Plainfield police in December 2025 that Oscar Vera, 43, has been providing discounts and adjustments to customers’ food bills without their knowledge and pocketing the difference, authorities said.

Vera also issued payroll checks to ghost employees, cashed them and kept the money for personal use, according to police.

Investigators determined Vera stole about $100,000 between 2024 and 2025, police said Thursday.

As a result, a grand jury indicted Vera, of the 1200 block of Barber Lane in Joliet, with two counts of identity theft, three counts of theft by deception, one count of theft and two counts of forgery, all felonies.

Plainfield police referred to Vera as a longtime manager of Vita Bella, but in November—just before Vita Bella's owner reported the allegations against Vera to Plainfield police—he launched La Dolce Pizza in Shorewood with a co-owner. The new business, which is not affiliated with Vita Bella, opened up in the former Savarino's location on Route 52.

As the investigation continues, police are asking anyone with information about the case to call Detective Sgt. Ron Mikos at 815-267-7237.