Retail Theft At Clarendon Hills Jewel About Same: Chief

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – The level of reported theft at the Jewel grocery store in Clarendon Hills is about the same, the police chief said Monday.

At a Village Board meeting, Chief Ed Leinweber was asked by trustees whether the grocery store had seen more retail theft cases lately at Jewel.

He said the store has not reported any more retail theft than usual.

"There are crews that target certain stores. A lot of it is alcohol," the chief said.

In Elmhurst, both Jewel stores regularly report retail thefts.

Asked whether retail theft suspects get violent, Leinweber said it was rare. It usually only happens when a store employee confronts a suspect, he said.

The store advises workers against confronting suspects, but rather call the police and collect as much information as possible, Leinweber said.

"It's not worth losing your life over," he said.

The store has video, Leinweber said, but "it's never been the best."

"We can make suggestions, but it's up to corporate," the chief said.

Companies often feel too many cameras give customers the impression they are unwelcome, Leinweber said.