Bail Cut In Half For Joliet's Walmart Manager Melissa Vanderwall

JOLIET, IL — After spending more than three weeks in the Will County Jail, Joliet's former nighttime manager at the West Jefferson Street retail store was let out of detention around supper time Friday. Will County Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak made the decision to lower the bail for Melissa Vanderwall from $100,000 to $50,000.

Will County Public Defender Eric Berg argued that Vanderwall's bail be reduced, while the Will County State's Attorney's Office opposed lowering the $100,000 bail.

The 47-year-old Vanderwall is charged with felony burglary and theft following a Joliet Police Department investigation into the theft of nearly $136,000 cash from the Walmart store in late November.

In addition to lowering Vanderwall's bail, Judge Bertani-Tomczak has ordered Vanderwall to obtain a psychological evaluation. Moreover, Vanderwall is now prohibited from having any contact with Walmart, court records show.

The Romeoville resident's next appearance at the Will County Courthouse is set for May 4 in Courtroom 502 of Bertani-Tomczak, who has been on the bench since the 1990s.

According to Joliet Police Sgt. Dwayne English:

• Officers were notified of a past-theft, around 10 a.m. on Nov. 27 at 2424 Jefferson St.
• Officers learned that Vanderwall, a Walmart employee, was suspected of theft. While Vanderwall was working as the night manager, she had emptied a large amount of cash from cash recyclers that are used to restock the store’s cash registers.
• Vanderwall emptied the cash into a shopping bag, abruptly ended her shift at the store, and left. The incident was captured on surveillance video. Police believe Vanderwall stole $135,988.00.
• Detectives obtained an arrest warrant on November 29, 2022, for Vanderwall for the charges of theft and burglary. Detectives continued to investigate this case and search for Vanderwall.
• Vanderwall was arrested at the Joliet Police Department at 9 a.m. on March 6 after turning herself in on the arrest warrant.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Walmart Manager's Arrest Prompts Joliet Police Press Release

Joliet Walmart Worker Who Stole Thousands Finally Captured: Police