Alleged Shoplifter Swears In Court When Judge Sets High Bail

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- A Chicago man accused of stuffing a duffle bag and hamper with merchandise at an Evergreen Park department store swore in court when his bail was set at $200,000. Augustus Flagg, 54, appeared before Cook County Judge Michael Kane on a charge of retail theft. According to court records, Flagg has another pending retail theft case.

The prosecutor said on April 9, Flagg entered the Carson’s store at 9700 S. Western Ave. He was observed by loss prevention taking 18 articles of clothing, along with a duffle bag and hamper, into a fitting room. He was allegedly seen leaving the fitting room with less clothing than what he went in with. Loss prevention checked the fitting room and did not find any merchandise left behind. The prosecutor said Flagg left the store without paying the items he was carrying out. He was detained by security. Court records noted that Flagg carried out 18 items of clothing totaling $1,264.91.

According to the prosecutor, Flagg has an extensive background of retail theft, including 38 arrests dating back to 1986, mostly for retail theft. The assistant public defender told the judge that Flagg was being treated for cancer and asked for Flagg to be treated in jail.

The judge set bail at $200,000. Flagg’s next court date is April 25. Flagg asked for an earlier date.

“I have to get chemo next week,” Flagg told the judge. “I get chemo three times a week.”

When the judge told him it wasn’t possible, Flagg was led out of the courtroom.

“Thank-you, bitch,” he shouted.

Moments later court was disrupted when paramedics entered the courtroom and went to the prisoner holding area with a stretcher. Flagg was sitting upright in the stretcher while he was being carried out of the courtroom.