Joliet Thief Monte Alexander Runs From CVS Pharmacy: JPD

JOLIET, IL — Monte Alexander, a 45-year-old Joliet man from the Marycrest Area who already faces numerous felony charges in Will County for high-volume shoplifting crimes at stores including Walmart, Hobby Lobby, Jewel, Walgreens and PetSmart was arrested again on Monday morning in Joliet at the CVS Pharmacy on Plainfield Road.

Joliet police say Monte Alexander's latest crimes happened at the CVS Pharmacy at 809 Plainfield Road, resulting in Alexander being returned to Will County's Jail on two counts of retail theft, criminal trespass and obstructing a peace officer.

Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said the following events led to Alexander's latest shoplifting arrests:

At 9:26 a.m., Joliet police responded to the CVS Pharmacy after officers learned that Alexander entered the store, and he was recognized by the CVS employees due to past theft incidents.

As the CVS employees monitored Alexander from the distance, they saw him hide merchandise in his pockets, then leave the store without paying for the items.

When officers found Alexander in the parking lot, they ordered him to stop, and he ran. Officers caught up to Alexander in the 900 block of Prairie Avenue, and he was placed into custody without further incident.

Officers found Alexander in possession of the stolen merchandise, totaling over $30 in value.

Additionally, Joliet police determined that Alexander committed another retail theft at the same CVS on November 17, at 4:29 p.m.

On Nov. 17, Alexander put more than $500 worth of merchandise into a shopping cart and exited the store without paying. Alexander has been charged in that incident as well.

According to Will County Jail records, Alexander has had four mugshots taken since 2022:

• Alexander was incarcerated between April 7, 2022, until June 9, 2022, after Crest Hill police arrested Alexander on charges of retail theft, theft and obstructing identification.
• October 3, 2023, until Oct. 12, 2023 after Joliet police arrested him on nine counts of theft and retail theft.
• Nov. 8: Arrested in Morris by Grundy County Sheriff's Office and released to the Will County Sheriff's Office. Incarcerated in Will County from Nov. 9 through Nov. 13 in connection with arrest warrants for theft and retail theft from Sept. 8 and Aug. 26.
• Nov. 20, 2023, Joliet police arrested Alexander following two separate retail thefts at the CVS Pharmacy on Plainfield Road over a three-day period. He was booked into the jail at 1 p.m. and remains there. Alexander lives in the 200 block of South Hammes Avenue.

Related Joliet Patch story from October:

Notorious Joliet Shoplifter Faces 9 Felony Charges: Police