Joliet Harrah's Customer Accused Of Taking Purse

JOLIET, IL - A 61-year-old woman from Orland Park has been banned from the Harrah's Casino property and drew a criminal citation from Joliet police after an incident on Labor Day. Jo Ellen Jatczak-Rydberg, 12100 block of West Forestview Drive, was arrested on the misdemeanor charge of theft involving mislaid property. Deputy Police Chief Ed Gregory said that a 67-year-old casino patron had inadvertently dropped her wristlet Coach purse near one of the gaming machines. The tiny purse contained at least $300 cash along with several coupon vouchers from Harrah's casino, Gregory said. By the time the woman retraced her steps to find it, her small purse was gone.

Eventually, a cleaning staff employee found it inside a bathroom, but most of the money, along with the gaming coupons, were removed. Harrah's security reviewed their video surveillance cameras and quickly determined that Jatczak-Rydberg picked up the purse, removed most of the valuables, and then decided to leave it inside one of the bathrooms, Gregory said.

Joliet police officers responded to Harrah's, charging the Orland Park woman with a misdemeanor crime. "She was banned from the casino property as well," Gregory added.

All of the victim's money, along with her casino vouchers, were recovered, Gregory said.