DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today law enforcement in DuPage County continues to be on high alert this holiday shopping season charging fifteen individuals in the past five days accused of stealing merchandise from DuPage County retail establishments.
The most recent arrests include:
- Kiara Harris, 33 (d.o.b. 12/5/1990) of Chicago – Accused of stealing approximately $308.55 worth of merchandise from a Glen Ellyn Walmart on December 24, 2023. When confronted by loss prevention officers, Harris allegedly fled the scene on foot. She was taken into custody by Glen Ellyn police officers a short time later at a nearby McDonald’s. The Court granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release. Harris’ next court appearance is scheduled for January 22, 2024.
- Gheorghe Poenaru, 23 (d.o.b. 3/11/2000) of Baltimore, Maryland and Maria Codreanu, 23 (d.o.b. 10/6/2000) of Houston, Texas – Both defendants are accused of stealing approximately $972 worth of merchandise, including cosmetics, from the Elmhurst Kohl’s on December 23, 2023. The Court granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for Poenaru and Codreanu . The next court appearance for both defendants is scheduled for January 22, 2024.
- Victor Matamoros, 25 (d.o.b. 9/17/1998) a Venezuelan migrant staying in Chicago – Accused of stealing approximately $777 worth of merchandise from the Oak Brook Macy’s on December 24, 2023. Matamoros’ next court appearance is scheduled for January 22, 2024. He was released from custody pending trial and has been fitted with a GPS monitoring device.
- Yonathan Barrios-Hernandez, 25 (d.o.b. 2/14/1998) a Venezuelan migrant staying in Chicago – Accused of stealing approximately $738.42 worth of merchandise from the Villa Park Target on December 24, 2023. Barrios-Hernandez was released from custody pending trial. His next court date is scheduled for January 22, 2024.
- Christian Perez-Aguilera, 26 (d.o.b. 4/5/1997) of Chicago, Jose Raphael Suarez-Silva, 25 (d.o.b. 1/30/1998) of Chicago and Deimar Elena Gomez Beomont, 27 (d.o.b. 8/23/1996) with no known address – Accused of stealing $713 worth of merchandise from the Oak Brook Macy’s on December 23, 2023. All were released from custody pending trial with Perez-Aguilera fitted with a GPS monitoring device. The next court date for all three defendants is scheduled for January 22, 2024.
- David Infante-Hernandez, 30 (d.o.b. 9/29/1993) of Chicago; Carolina Rojas-Torres, 43 (d.o.b. 5/10/1980) of Chicago; Marvella Rojas-Torres, 26 (d.o.b. 4/26/1997) of Chicago; Jhonny A Valero Lozano, 34 (d.o.b. 7/30/1989) of Chicago – All accused of stealing more than $300 worth of merchandise from the Elmhurst Kohl’s on December 23, 2023. All four defendants were released from custody and have their next court appearance scheduled for January 19, 2024.
- Mariah Jeane Puentez, 19 (d.o.b. 7/2/2004) of East Chicago, Indiana – Accused of stealing approximately $2,176.95 from a Naperville Home Depot store on December 23, 2023. Jeane Puentez was released from custody. Her next court appearance is scheduled for January 22, 2024.
- Larry Hamersly, 49 (d.o.b. 9/23/1974) of Willow Springs – With a prior conviction, Hamersly is accused of stealing less than $300 worth of clothing from the Elmhurst Kohl’s store on December 24, 2023. Hamersly was released from custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 22, 2024.
- Omar Serrano-Velasco, 36 (d.o.b. 8/31/1987) of Stone Park – Accused of stealing an Echo chainsaw valued at $629 from an Oakbrook Terrace Home Depot store on December 27, 2023. Serrano-Velasco was released from custody. His next court appearance is scheduled for January 23, 2024.
“Make no mistake, just because the holiday shopping season is nearing a close, our efforts to protect our businesses and patrons will not diminish,” Berlin said. “The arrest of fifteen additional defendants accused of stealing from DuPage County businesses sends a strong message that DuPage County law enforcement is continually on alert for anyone who steals or otherwise breaks the law. Simply put, if you steal in DuPage County you will be apprehended, charged and prosecuted.”
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are 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.
