Oak Brook, IL – Five Venezuelan migrants, all male juveniles currently residing in Chicago, have been charged in connection with two separate retail theft incidents at Oak Brook stores. One of the accused faces additional charges of armed violence.
According to DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis, the juveniles were arrested after stealing merchandise from Macy’s and Nordstrom stores at the Oak Brook Center on May 5, 2025. In one of the incidents, police also recovered a kitchen knife from one of the suspects.
The first incident took place at approximately 3:00 p.m. when three juveniles allegedly stole merchandise from Nordstrom. One of them took an item valued at $138 from a fitting room, and a physical altercation ensued between the juveniles and the loss prevention officer. After a brief foot chase, officers arrested the suspects.
The second incident occurred later that day at 3:42 p.m. at Macy’s. Two juveniles entered the store, cut off security sensors from six clothing items, and attempted to leave without paying. Police apprehended the suspects outside the store, recovering a large knife from one of the juveniles.
All five juveniles face one count of burglary, a Class 2 felony. Three of them face additional charges of robbery, retail theft, and resisting a police officer, while one is charged with armed violence, a Class X felony. The group appeared at detention hearings this afternoon, with three of them ordered to be detained.
Oak Brook police emphasized their preparedness to deal with criminal activity, with Chief Strockis highlighting the officers’ response to this high-risk situation. “We will continue to proactively police our borders,” he said.
The juveniles are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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