Barbecue Loving Shoplifter Caught Heisting Ribs: Prosecutor

Vernard Crockett, 59 | Cook County Sheriff

A man currently out on parole for retail theft was arrested Wednesday for heisting ribs from a big box store in Evergreen Park, prosecutors said.

According to the charges, Vernard Crockett, 59, was spotted removing eight packages of ribs from a cooler at Meijer, 9200 S. Western Ave., Evergreen Park.

Prosecutors said Crockett walked out of the store with the ribs under his coat.

Crockett was sentenced to a year in the Illinois Department of Corrections of he was convicted of felony retail theft last year. He has two other felony convictions and five misdemeanor convictions, all for retail theft, the prosecutor said.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Crockett is currently on disability for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He is also a U.S. Army veteran.

The judge set bail at $40,000. In lieu of bond, Crockett is to remain on electronic monitoring. The judge also told him to stay out Meijer’s.

Crocket’s next court appearance is March 23 in Bridgeview.