Group Believed To Be Part Of Venezuelan Theft Crew Arrested: Police

GURNEE, IL — Police in Gurnee busted four people believed to be part of a Venezuelan theft crew earlier this month at Gurnee Mills.

Officers with the Gurnee Police Department launched a probe into the theft crew after employees at a store provided them with the license plate for the thieves' vehicle, according to a news release from the Gurnee Police Department.

At about 4:15 p.m. on Aug. 3 officers learned the vehicle was approaching Gurnee Mills, according to the news release. They responded to the mall at 6170 W. Grand Avenue, Gurnee, and learned from a store employee that three men and one woman had been inside the store concealing several thousand dollars worth of merchandise.

They then left the store and fled the scene, according to police.

Police tracked down the vehicle and pulled it over, according to the news release. They determined the four people stole the merchandise and were also connected to an earlier theft.

The three men and one woman who were arrested are: Esther L. Vega Escodebo, 29; Daniel D. Hernandez Colina, 26; Frank T. Silvia Rivera, 26; Jose J Chirinos, 18. They were charged with felony retail theft, police said.