Two Venezuelan Migrants Charged with Retail Theft from Oak Brook Macy’s in Unrelated Incidents
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced today that Judge Joshua Dieden denied the State’s motion to detain pre-trial two Venezuelan men accused of stealing merchandise from the Oak Brook Macy’s department store in unrelated incidents.
Jainer Efrain Guttierrez Quintero, 30 (d.o.b. 6/15/1993) and Estivenson Martinez Artigas, 28 (d.o.b. 6/9/1995), both of Venezuela currently staying in Chicago, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Retail Theft, a Class 3 Felony.
In addition, Martinez Artigas is charged with one count of Misdemeanor Resisting or Obstructing a Police Officer.
It is alleged that on December 10, 2023, at approximately 4:23 p.m., Martinez Artigas entered the Macy’s department store, located at 1 Oakbrook Center.
It is alleged that Martinez Artigas then selected a backpack and two coats with an approximate value of $459 and walked past the last point of sale without paying for the merchandise. He was stopped by loss prevention officers and police officers at this time.
In an unrelated incident, it is alleged that at approximately 5:00 p.m. the same day, Guttierrez Quintero entered the Macy’s department store, selected eight items of Polo merchandise with an approximate value of $1,173 and walked past the last point of sale without paying for the merchandise. He was stopped by loss prevention officers at this time.
“The arrest of these two defendants sends the clear message that if you steal in DuPage County you will be arrested, charged and prosecuted,” Berlin said.
“Our law enforcement is second to none and remains on high alert to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday shopping season for our merchants and patrons alike. I commend the Oak Brook Police Department for their outstanding efforts in apprehending anyone who thinks they can outsmart or outrun the law. I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Bethany Jackson and Philip Unger for their work in preparing a strong case against Mr. Guttierrez Quintero and Mr. Martinez Artigas.”
“Our partnership with Macy’s Loss Prevention and loss prevention agents throughout the Village has never been stronger,” Strockis said.
“I assure you there are much easier targets for retail crimes than any business located in Oak Brook. Our lockup facility is open for business and our officers are highly motivated to keep our community safe during this busy holiday shopping season. I’d like to thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their guidance on these most recent cases”.
The next court date for both Guttierrez Quintero and Martinez Artigas is scheduled for January 8, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Daniel Guerin. As a condition of their release, both men are prohibited from entering any Macy’s store or the Oak Brook Mall.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of a defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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