Flooring Theft Suspect Nabbed In Oakbrook Terrace: Cops

OAK BROOK, IL – A man who tried stealing $1,700 worth of flooring from an Oakbrook Terrace hardware store was stopped Tuesday as he was fleeing, authorities said.

Timothy Wehmeyer, 42, of Chicago, was arrested on a number of charges.

On Wednesday, a DuPage County judge jailed Wehmeyer based on the belief that the suspect was a flight risk, police said.

He is wanted on a warrant for theft in Crown Point, Indiana, and has a pending retail theft case in Cook County, according to a news release from DuPage County prosecutors. They said he has failed to appear in court at least a dozen times throughout his criminal history.

About 11 a.m. Tuesday, Wehmeyer selected 25 cases of flooring and walked toward the exit at Oakbrook Terrace's Home Depot, police said. He then showed employees a fraudulent online flooring receipt dated Oct. 13, as he passed by the checkout counter, police said.

When employees confronted Wehmeyer at the door, he ran away, leaving the merchandise behind, authorities said.

Oakbrook Terrace officers then arrested him. He presented a false driver's license as identification, police said.

Wehmeyer was charged with the felonies of burglary and retail theft and the misdemeanor of obstructing identification.

"I thank the employees of Home Depot for their attention to their surroundings as well as the Oak Brook Terrace Police Department for their quick response once alerted to the situation," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.