Fraudulent Best Buy Shopping Spree Ends In Arrest: Prosecutor

COUNTRYSIDE, IL -- A man out on bail for an armed robbery rap was arrested after he went on a fraudulent credit card shopping spree at a Countryside Best Buy, prosecutors said. Anthony Jones, 25, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on felony charges of fraudulent use of a credit card. A violation of bail bond was issued for the pending case.

According to the charges, Jones went to the Best Buy at 11 Countryside Plaza on Aug. 21. Jones purchased $2,562 worth of merchandise and paid for it with a credit card. He returned to the same store on Aug. 25, where he attempted to purchase $5,926 in merchandise. Jones allegedly used a credit card under a different name. The card was declined and Jones left.

Jones returned to the a third time on Aug. 28, the prosecutor said. He allegedly used the same credit card from the first purchase and charged $2,524 worth of merchandise. The cashier recognized him and called police. He left the store and threw the credit card on the ground when he saw police, the prosecutor said.

Jones’ attorney said his client was in renal failure and needed to get to dialysis.

“I’ll sign a Cermak order,” Felice said. “What’s truly remarkable given the current state of his health is that he allegedly goes three times to same Best Buy to get merchandise.”

Bail was set at $150,000 for the new charge. Jones is due back in court Sept. 18.