Crime & Safety

Western Springs Theft Suspect Seemingly Helpful Man: Police

He is believed to have taken a woman's wallet while helping her get an item from the top shelf.

A woman reported that a man who stole her wallet was seemingly helpful at Mariano's grocery store in Western Springs, police said.
A woman reported that a man who stole her wallet was seemingly helpful at Mariano's grocery store in Western Springs, police said. (David Giuliani/Patch)

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – A woman whose wallet was stolen at a Western Springs store believes the suspect was a seemingly helpful customer, police said.

Patch obtained the police report through a public records request.

During the early evening of Sept. 25 at Mariano's, the 75-year-old Willow Springs victim told police she was reaching for something from the top shelf when a tall, dark-haired man asked whether she needed help.

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She obliged, and the man reached up and grabbed the product for her, police said. During this moment, the woman suspected that the man stole her bifold Coach wallet from her purse, police said.

The wallet contained her driver's license, credit cards and $100 in cash.

Find out what's happening in Western Springsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Afterward, $4,000 in unauthorized credit card charges were made, but were declined, police said.

An officer reviewed surveillance footage, but the camera could not see far enough into the aisle to capture the incident, police said.

The officer also could not identify the person on the camera at the store's entrance.

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