Retail Theft Suspect Found In Backyard

MOKENA, IL — A police pursuit of a retail theft suspect from the Meijer in Mokena last week ended when the man was found in a playground area of a resident's backyard in the Settlers Pond subdivision in Frankfort.

Mokena Police Chief Steve Vaccaro said Wayne T. Kelly, 26, of Harvey has been charged with retail theft, resisting/obstructing a police officer, possession of cannabis (over 10 grams) and on an outstanding theft warrant from Countryside after the May 9 incident in the Lincoln-Way area.

Police were called to the Meijer at 11305 Lincoln Highway in Mokena at 5:43 p.m. to a report of a retail theft when they learned that the suspect had fled the scene.

"The suspect fled on foot and it took us awhile to track him down, but a resident in the Settlers Pond subdivision called and said they saw him in a private resident's playground area," Vaccaro said.

Once Kelly was found, Frankfort police turned him over to authorities in Mokena to be charged.

Vaccaro said Kelly fled on foot eastbound from the Meijer and headed south on the Old Plank Road Trail before going into the subdivision.

Photo via Mokena Police Department