CHICAGO, IL – Authorities in suburban Chicago have taken five Venezuelan nationals into custody following two separate retail theft incidents. In the most recent occurrence at a Macy’s store in Oak Brook on Saturday, two individuals were apprehended after allegedly pilfering merchandise valued at nearly $770.

Lenguieyer Guevara-Muro, 27, and Jinder Moises Angulo-Aparicio, 20, are accused of concealing clothing in a foil-lined bag designed to evade security sensors. Guevara-Muro, who was allegedly uncooperative when confronted by security and an on-duty police officer, faced additional resistance charges after a brief physical altercation ensued during his arrest. Angulo-Aparicio surrendered without further incident shortly thereafter.

A similar event unfolded the previous day in Elmhurst, where three more Venezuelans were accused of lifting over $500 in items from a Kohl’s. Ilys Mary Ledesma Zapata, 37, Christian Johan Saavedra-Omona, 21, and Braud Pineda Avendano, 33, were charged, with reports indicating at least one suspect had a magnet capable of circumventing the store’s anti-theft devices.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced the charges, emphasizing a growing concern regarding such crimes. “For the second day in a row, my office has filed charges against individuals from Venezuela accused of stealing merchandise from a retail store,” Berlin stated, calling attention to the pattern of criminal behavior.

While Guevara-Muro remains detained, a judge ruled that the other four individuals be released as they await further legal proceedings.

These arrests have emerged amidst broader reports of increasing thefts involving Venezuelan migrants in the area, prompting Oak Brook Deputy Chief of Police Reid Foltyniewicz to issue a public advisory earlier in the month alerting to the spike in such activities.

The charges against all five individuals include burglary and retail theft, marking a steadfast commitment from local authorities to curb these types of criminal activities and safeguard local businesses. The arrests serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing retail theft and organized shoplifting rings.