Migrants accused in Oak Brook Macy's theft released on electronic monitoring
Barrios-Estava and Mata-Torres
OAK BROOK, Ill. - Charges have been filed against two Venezuelan migrants who allegedly stole over $1,700 from the Oak Brook Macy's store Monday evening.
Abel Barrios-Estava and Rafael Mata-Torres, both of Venezuela currently staying in Chicago, have been charged with one count of burglary and one count of retail theft.
At about 5:27 p.m. Monday, Oak Brook police officers responded to Macy's, located at 1 Oakbrook Center, regarding a retail theft in process, prosecutors said.
One of the suspects, later identified as Barrios-Estava, allegedly entered the store, took six items of clothing with a value of over $300 and then left the store without paying for the items.
As loss prevention authorities took Barrios-Estave into custody, he allegedly broke away and fled on foot across 22nd Street. Following a brief foot pursuit, officers were able to take him into custody without further incident, prosecutors said.
The second suspect, later identified as Mateo-Torres, also entered Macy's, took 13 items of clothing from the store and then attempted to leave the store without paying for the items.
Loss prevention and Oak Brook police officers were able to take him into custody without incident inside the store.
"The National Retail Federation estimates that retail theft cost businesses nationwide more than $112 billion last year, up from $96 billion in 2021," Berlin said. "These losses cause significant financial hardship to businesses and their employees, higher prices for shoppers and loss of tax revenue for the entire community."
The next court date for both men is scheduled for Nov. 20.
As a condition of their bond, both men will be fitted with an electronic monitoring device and are not allowed to enter any Macy’s store.