Lake County charges three with unlawful use of credit card
February 9, 2012 2:47PM
Michelle Johnson Photo submitted by the Lake County Sheriff's Office
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Updated: March 17, 2012 8:11AM
Three people have been arrested for their alleged roles in a pickpocket scam that began in January at the Deer Park Town Center.
Michelle L. Johnson, 26, of Chicago; Marva D. Karikari, 40, of Darien; and Rickey Anderson, 45, of Chicago, have all been charged with unlawful use of a credit card, a Class 3 felony, in conjunction with the incidents.
On Jan. 15 and Jan. 19, the offenders are alleged to have entered Panera Bread and Noodles and Company, in Deer Park, with the intention of taking wallets from purses hanging over chairs, according to a release issued by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s investigators received video from the stores in an effort to identify potential suspects. Detectives soon learned that similar incidents had occurred in the Riverwoods area and Riverwoods police had picked up three suspects.
Prior to going to bond court on the Riverwoods charges, investigators interviewed the suspects believe they are the same people on the video fromn Deer Park, according to the release.
“Cooperation and information sharing among local law enforcement is crucial to combating criminal cases like this one,” Sheriff Mark Curran stated in the release.
The suspects appeared in bond court Wednesday morning, where Judge Raymond Collins set bond at $50,000 for Anderson and $25,000 for both Johnson and Karikari.
Detectives will work with other Chicago area police to determine if the trio is responsible for any other crimes. Anyone who feels they may have fallen victim to this type of crime is encouraged to call Detective David Tomasello at (847) 377 4250.
— Stephanie Kohl
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