Darien Man Embarrassed Over Theft Case: Cops

DARIEN, IL – A Darien man who worked at the local Home Depot acknowledged he stole money by processing fraudulent returns, police said.

Through a public records request, Patch obtained the police report that identified the suspect as James Poteraske, 54, who lives in the 7500 block of Grant Street in Darien.

According to the report, a Home Depot loss prevention employee alerted police that he discovered Poteraske processed seven fraudulent returns.

Poteraske acted as if customers returned merchandise in exchange for the money they paid for it, but he took the money instead, police said. Amounting to more than $1,000, the thefts were reported as happening from Oct. 17 to Nov. 4.

Contacted by police last week, Poteraske admitted he made a mistake, according to the report. He said he processed three or four fraudulent returns, but acknowledged it could have been as many as seven, police said.

Promising to pay back the money, Poteraske said he was embarrassed and sincerely sorry, according to the report.

Poteraske said he used the money to pay bills, police said. The police department blacked out his other reason.

On Friday, he was taken to the DuPage County Jail to await a court hearing on whether he should remain locked up. He is charged with the felony theft by deception.