Facial Tattoo IDs Accused Liquor Bottle Thief: Des Plaines PD

DES PLAINES, IL — A Chicago man has been charged with felony retail theft following a July July incident in Des Plaines, where he is accused of stealing 35 bottles of alcohol from a store. Christopher Lawson, 37, of the 7300 block of N. Sheridan Road, was arrested Wednesday while making a separate court appearance in Rolling Meadows.

According to police, Lawson was identified through security and body camera footage, which captured his facial tattoo. In addition to the July 1 theft at a store in the 1500 block of Lee Street, Lawson is wanted in other locations for similar crimes.

Lawson was wearing a black ski mask, white long-sleeved shirt, and a neon yellow vest at the time of the theft. Loss prevention employees at the Des Plaines store had been made aware of him as he was allegedly wearing the dame outfit while stealing alcohol from other stores. Police said another law enforcement agency had even made contact with Lawson on the day of the incident.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved the felony charge.