Five Venezuelan migrants have been charged with burglary from two Oak Brook stores.
A citizen reported to authorities about 8 p.m. Feb. 20 that he observed four men stealing merchandise from the Nike store, 2155 W. 22nd Street. Oak Brook Police Department officers located the vehicle reportedly involved in the incident parked outside the nearby Ulta store, according to information from the office of DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin.
Miguel Ortiz-Griman, 24, Felix Garcia-Diaz, 25, Daniel Fernandez-Rodriguez, 18, Samuel Alvarez-Garcia, 25, and Oswaldo Rivero-Herrera, 33, all of Venezuela and with no known permanent address, were charged with one count of burglary, a Class 2 Felony, and one count of retail theft, a Class 3 Felony. Judge Joshua Dieden denied the State’s motion to detain the men pre-trial, Berlin’s office said.
Oak Brook officers conducted surveillance on the vehicle parked outside Ulta, reportedly occupied by Ortiz-Griman and Garcia-Diaz, and a short time later reportedly saw Fernandez-Rodriguez, Alvarez-Garcia, and Rivero-Herrera exit the Ulta store and enter the vehicle. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle reportedly drove around the officer’s squad car before being boxed in by other officers. All five men were taken into custody at this time.
It is alleged that the men stole nine fragrance items from the Ulta store with a value of approximately $1,331 as well as shoes and a hat from the Nike store valued at approximately $726.98.
“It is alleged that when the defendants were taken into custody, they were laughing at the officers and not taking this matter seriously,” Berlin said in a statement. “While the defendants in this case may not take the charges against them seriously, I can assure you, in DuPage County we take these allegations very seriously.”
Oak Brook Police Chief Brian Strockis said the five arrests add to the significant number of illegal migrant arrests made in the village over the past four months.
“We will continue to be proactive in our efforts in keeping our community safe,” he said. “Much of society is tired of hearing about these types of crimes, and I’d like to thank the witness for being alert and contacting the police in this incident.
The next court date for all five defendants is scheduled for March 18, for arraignment in front of Judge Mia McPherson.