Aurora Alderman Accused of Shoplifting from Meijer Now Charged With Felony Burglary

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A misdemeanor retail theft charge has been upgraded to a felony burglary charge for an Aurora alderman accused of shoplifting from a Meijer Store last month, prosecutors said Monday.

A $50,000 arrest warrant was issued Friday for Tenth Ward Aldernamn Lynne M. Johnson, 51, of the 400 block of Plaza Place in Aurora, who is now charged with one count of burglary, a class 2 felony. Johnson turned herself into authorities Monday afternoon and was released after posting the necessary 10 percent of her warrant, according to a DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office press release.

She is accused of stealing several items from the Meijer Store, located at 818 Illinois 59, at around 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 31. A plain-clothes asset protection employee at Meijer allegedly witnessed Johnson concealing various markers, pencils, holiday party favors and two bottles of Ibuprofen in her purse, police said.

The employee made contact with Johnson just outside the store, escorted her to the asset protection office without incident, and notified Aurora Police. The value of the merchandise was $55.21.

A charge of misdemeanor retail theft was filed against Johnson on Feb. 4. That charge was upgraded to a felony burglary count “following a thorough review by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office,” DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin said Monday.

“It is troubling any time an elected official is accused of wrongdoing,” Berlin said. “Following a thorough review of the facts and circumstances surrounding the allegations, it is my opinion that that the original misdemeanor charges warrant a felony upgrade

This is the second retail theft the Aurora Alderman representing a Far-East side ward has been charged with.

>>>> Aurora Alderman Charged with Second Retail Theft

In August, 2013, Johnson was charged with retail theft for taking $150.24 worth of cosmetics and food from the same Meijer store. The store is located in the ward she represents. She pleaded guilty in the case and, according to court records, was granted supervision.

Johnson is next expected in court on March 21.