DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Elmhurst Chief of Police Michael McLean announced today that charges have been filed against three individuals for allegedly stealing more than $500 worth of merchandise from the Elmhurst Kohl’s store. Ilys Mary Ledesma Zapata, 37 (d.o.b. 12/3/1985), Christian Johan Saavedra-Omona, 21 (d.o.b. 9/16/2002) and Braud Pineda Avendano, 33 (d.o.b. 8/31/1990), all of Venezuela currently staying in Waukegan, appeared at First Appearance Court this morning where Judge Anthony Coco denied the State’s motion to detain pre-trial for each defendant. In their motion, the State alleged the defendants are a flight risk. All three defendants are charged with one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Retail Theft (Class 3 Felony). As a condition of their release, all three defendants are prohibited from entering the Elmhurst Kohl’s.
It is alleged that on November 24, 2023, at approximately 1:01 p.m., officers with the Elmhurst Police Department responded to Kohl’s, located at 303 South Route 83, regarding a retail theft that had just occurred. It is alleged that three individuals, later identified as Ledesma Zapata, Saavedra-Omona and Pineda Avendano, entered Kohl’s, selected multiple items of clothing and then left the store without paying for the merchandise. It is further alleged that the trio then reentered the store, again selected multiple items of clothing and left the store without paying, at which time they were detained by officers with the Elmhurst Police Department. It is alleged that the total value of the items stolen from the store is approximately $504. It is further alleged that Ledesma Zapata was in possession of a large magnet used to defeat anti-theft devices in the store.
“It is alleged that on Black Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year, these three defendants, one of whom brought an anti-theft device with her, entered the Kohl’s store, helped themselves to more than five-hundred dollars’ worth of merchandise and then left the store without paying,” Berlin said. “With the hustle and bustle of the holiday shopping season now upon us, I ask everyone to please help us combat theft and if you see something suspicious, please alert store authorities. I commend the Elmhurst Police Department for their prompt response in this case and for their ongoing efforts in protecting our businesses and patrons. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Michael Paup and Anthony Raimondi for their work in securing charges against these three defendants.”
The next court date for all three defendants is scheduled for December 18, 2023, for arraignment.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the 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.
