Accused Back-to-School Shoplifter Helped by 14-Year-Old Relative: Prosecutor

BEDFORD PARK, IL -- A Chicago woman is accused of cajoling a 14-year-old relative into joining her on a back-to-school shoplifting spree at a local Walmart, prosecutors said in court.

Alexandria Marchman, 22, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on felony charges of retail theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Marchman was arrested Aug. 22 at the Walmart Supercenter, 7050 S Cicero Ave, Bedford Park. According to the charges, loss prevention officers spotted her removing empty bags from her purse and handing them to a 14-year-old girl, described as either her sister or sister-in-law.

The prosecutor said that Marchman and the girl went around the store filling the bags with school supplies, clothing, DVDs and food items. The pair were allegedly confronted outside the store with 90 items valued at $582. The store was able to recover its merchandise.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Marchman is the mother a 2-year-old child, with another child on the way.

“You can have the baby in the state penitentiary,” Judge Felice said. “How awful would that be?”

Marchman was given a $25,000 I-bond and was assigned to weekly random drug testing. Judge Felice ordered her back in court on Aug. 31 to learn of her first drug test result.