Two Venezuelan immigrants living in Chicago have been accused of stealing nearly $3,000 in merchandise from a Macy’s store in Oak Brook, Illinois, raising concerns among local authorities about an increase in criminal activity by immigrants from the city.
The defendants were identified as Luis Méndez Gómez, 28, and Frank Montez Dávila, 23.
The two immigrants, according to information from Fox News, left the Macy’s store, on the outskirts of the city, with a “happy birthday” bag and a backpack containing merchandise valued at $2,832.50, according to the State Attorney’s Office. of DuPage County.
Police officers patrolling the area noticed “suspicious behavior” on the part of the men and saw them enter a car that left the scene.
After conducting a traffic stop on the vehicle, authorities discovered the stolen merchandise, which included 16 high-end fragrances and a pair of pants.
Accusations
The accusations indicate that Méndez-Gómez and Montes-Dávila entered the Macy’s store together, where Méndez-Gómez removed the “happy birthday” bag and backpack from under his shirt, filling them with the fragrances and pants before leaving the store. store without making the corresponding payment.
Both men face charges of robbery and retail theft, and Mendez Gomez was also cited for a misdemeanor charge of driving without a valid license.
In a hearing before the judge, it was decided to allow Méndez Gómez and Montes Dávila to be released, rejecting the prosecution’s request to deny pre-trial release.
Immigrant criminal activity
This situation has generated concern among local authorities, who have expressed their firm commitment to the fight against organized retail crime.
“We are steadfast in our efforts against organized retail crime while relentlessly protecting our community,” Oak Brook Deputy Police Chief Reid Foltyniewicz said in a written statement shared by Fox News.
And they added: “We want everyone to be aware of the increase in criminal activity in the immigrant community from Chicago.”
This incident is the second in a short time, since just a week ago, according to Fox News, two other Venezuelan immigrants were arrested for stealing products worth more than $1,700 in the same store. The defendants in that case, Abel Barrios-Estava and Rafael Mata-Torres, were also released on condition that they use electronic monitoring devices.
These crimes also occur in the midst of the deportation of Venezuelan citizens that the Biden administration began to Venezuela.
“Individuals and families who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States will be deported,” the acting commissioner of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Troy Miller, warned in a statement. .
To date, there are three flights to Venezuela, for a total of 362 Venezuelans expelled from the United States.
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