Woman Reports Theft at Library, Harassed by Offender

Niles residents Salena Ronowski, 25, and her husband, Jeff, 35, were picking out books for Ronowski's mother at the Des Plaines Public Library, 1501 Ellinwood Ave., this afternoon at about 1:30 p.m. when Ronowski ran to the restroom. Ronowski, an expectant mother, stepped out of the restroom for a moment leaving her purse and books behind, rather than carry the heavy stack, to glance at a book outside of the bathroom.

When she returned she saw a woman with her hands in her purse, clutching her wallet. As she confronted the woman, she let go of the wallet and denied rummaging through the bag. "I caught her red-handed and she looks right at me and denies going through my bags," said Ronowski, who examined her wallet and discovered $23 missing as the woman took off running. Ronowski screamed for her husband to chase after her.

The couple caught up with the offender as she was getting into her car in the parking lot. They blocked the vehicle and called Des Plaines police, who arrived on the scene shortly. "She denied taking the money but admitted that she went through my purse," said Ronowski. "They found the $3 on her but not the $20." Police brought the woman in for questioning and she was charged with petit theft.

The Ronowskis, who were on foot today, made their way to the bus stop near the downtown train station around 3 p.m. thinking the issue was over. "We figured we'd let it go, it was $20," said Jeff. It wasn't over. After the offender was released and made her way to her car, which was still in the library lot, she noticed the Ronowskis and started screaming expletive-ridden threats at them. "Oh you should have heard her," said Jeff. "She used every swear word in the book. She was screaming that she was going to get my wife and telling her to watch her back." 

Ronowski was shaken and fearing for her safety, decided to go back to the police station to file another report. "We just lost our son and now she's pregnant again," said Jeff. "The doctor told her to avoid stress. This is the last thing she needs." Ronowski gave birth to a premature boy in May who passed away. She is happily expecting again. The Ronowskis are concerned that the offender may have their information from the previous incident. 

Police are searching for the woman, who will remain unidentified until further notice.