Accused Orland Square Shoplifters Give Loss Prevention Officers the Slip: Prosecutors

Bruce Taylor, 55, and Diana Vela, 35, are both charged with retail theft. | Cook County Sheriff

Two shoplifters gave loss prevention officers the slip after they allegedly stole hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise from an Orland Square store, prosecutors said.

Diana Vela, 35, and Bruce Taylor, 55, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on retaill theft charges at the Bridgeview Courthouse.

Prosecutors said that Vela and Taylor entered Buckle, 524 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park, on Oct. 19, where they were spotted stuffing a Kmart bag with multiple pairs of jeans valued at $815.

When the loss prevention officer tried to stop them from leaving the mall, the two slipped past him, according to the charges.

Prosecutors said that police arrested Vela and Taylor in their vehicle in the parking lot.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Vela was about to move in with her boyfriend; Taylor is married.

Taylor was also described by Orland Park police as “hostile” in lockup. He has an extensive criminal background and was not recommended for release, Judge Felice said, reading from a pretrial services report.

Bail for Vela was set at $75,000. Vela also had an active warrant for driving on a suspended driver’s license. The judge set Taylor’s bail at $100,000.

Following the bond hearing, a sheriff’s deputy could be seen throwing Taylor back into a holding cell.

Vela and Taylor are both due back in court on November 4.