Norridge IL March 6 2018 A 40-year-old Chicago man was charged with running a continuing criminal enterprise after Norridge police arrested him Feb. 15. Police said he is accused in the theft of about $3,500 worth of merchandise from the Victoria’s Secret store in the Harlem Irving Plaza, and police also tied him to six previous thefts of items totaling more than $20,000 from the same store.

Ivan Hernandez, of the 4400 block of Cortez Street, was arrested by Norridge police after a short chase at 11 a.m. Feb. 15, according to police. He was charged with criminal enterprise, as well as aggravated resisting arrest after an officer was injured during the arrest, said Norridge Detective Sgt. Brian Loughran.

Bond was set at $75,000 for Hernandez, who as of Monday morning remained in custody. He is scheduled to appear at the Rolling Meadows courthouse on March 9.

The criminal enterprise charge is based on a series of felony violations in concert with other people, police said. On Feb. 16, Norridge police, acting on information obtained from Hernandez, received a search warrant and discovered stolen property, which had been taken from the Norridge Victoria’s Secret store, at a store on Belmont Avenue in Chicago, Loughran said.

Police recovered roughly $3,500 worth of Victoria Secret’s merchandise from the store, Loughran said.

Also, Juan Balbontin, 28, of the 3000 block of New England Avenue in Chicago, was charged with possession of stolen property, Loughran said. Balbontin was issued a $25,000 I-Bond, Loughran said, and he is scheduled to appear in court March 9.

In seeking the criminal enterprise charge, police connected Hernandez through surveillance with six previous thefts at the Victoria Secret’s Store, in the mall at 4132 N. Harlem Ave., before his arrest, Loughran said. The thefts occurred on Jan. 31, Feb. 4 (two times), Feb. 5, Feb. 6 and Feb. 10, Loughran said. He mostly focused on women’s panties, Loughran said.

Police asked store personnel to be on the lookout for Hernandez, instructing them to call 911 and contact mall security if he made another appearance, Loughran said.

In the most recent theft, a store employee spotted him and contacted mall security, who in turn contacted Norridge police, Loughran said. Responding officers chased Hernandez, capturing him behind the Kentucky Fried Chicken on the 3900 block of North Harlem Avenue, Loughran said.
Chicago Tribune

Share this post: on Twitter on Facebook