Awaiting State's Attorney News Conference About Retail Theft Ring Bust

There's news this morning that Cook County State's Attorney, Anita Alvarez, will be holding a press conference this morning to announce arrests involving a retail theft ring operating in Chicago and in surrounding suburban shopping malls.  One of the items that was stolen by this ring is a $5,000 vase stolen from a store on Michigan Avenue.  The operation has been named "Operation Whoville" and the investigation has apparently been going on for about a month.  We'll report once more information is available after the press conference.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.

Chicago Cop Suspended For Trying To Get Free Coffee at Starbucks

The police board for the Chicago Police Department, suspended a veteran police officer for demanding free coffee from numerous Starbucks throughout the City of Chicago over a number of years. The same officer had been charged with retail theft at a Starbucks in 2004 for stealing juice. She was eventually found not guilty of the retail theft. This officer was found guilty by the police board of using her position as a police officer to demand free coffee when asked for payment. They alleged that when she was asked for payment, she would flash her badge, handcuffs and gun. In one incident, a Starbucks store manager testified that this officer demanded free pastries and became angry and went behind the counter when she was told they could not give out free pastries.

The officer was suspended for 15 months and ordered to undergo counseling.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.

Man Found Not Fit To Stand Trial - Charges Dismissed

Chicago criminal defense lawyer, James Dimeas, secured a dismissal of all felony Retail Theft charges at the Cook County Criminal Courts Building at 26th and California after a Cook County Judge found the client unfit to stand trial. The client was charged with stealing merchandise from a Menards store. The client had suffered a severe brain injury when he was shot in the head during an armed robbery many years earlier. As a result, the client was unable to communicate and under the influence of numerous prescription drugs for his condition. Chicago criminal defense lawyer, James Dimeas, recognized that the client's physical and mental condition could be grounds to have the case dismissed. Chicago criminal defense attorney, James Dimeas, had the client examined by several expert doctors and was able to prove to the court that the client could not be held responsible for his actions due to his medical condition. After a hearing at 26th and California, the court was convinced that the Defendant was unfit to stand trial and on today's date, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the charges against the defendant.

If the Defendant had been convicted he may have been deported due to his immigration status. Even though the client had lived in the United States for over 30 years, he had never obtained his citizenship.

Chicago criminal defense attorney, James Dimeas, recognized that the physical and mental condition of his client could be used to obtain a dismissal of the charges and sought to prove this his client was not guilty.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.