Red Bull Thief Caught Red Handed at Burbank Gas Station: Prosecutor

BURBANK, IL -- A convicted felon on parole for retail theft was arrested after he was caught heisting 48 cans of Red Bull from a Burbank gas station, prosecutors said Monday in court.

Phillip Krutal, 31, of Chicago, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a charge of retail theft. He was arrested Nov. 20 next door to the gas station where he allegedly pulled off the theft.

According to the charges, an employee at Speedway, 7800 S. Harlem Ave., Burbank, saw Krutal stash six four-packs and two 12-packs of Red Bull into a backpack on close circuit TV. Krutul then left the gas station.

Police found Krutul next door at a fast food restaurant where he was arrested. The Red Bull as valued at $88. Krutul was identified by an employee, the prosecutor said.

Krutul is currently on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections where he had been serving a two-year sentence stemming from a 2015 conviction for retail theft. The prosecutor said that Krutul has three prior felony convictions for resisting and injuring a peace officer, possession of a stolen vehicle and residential burglary.

A public safety assessment recommended release with pre-trial supervision.

“There’s no way I can let this man go when he’s out on parole for the same crime,” Judge Felice said. “Presuming he’s innocent.”

The assistant public defender asked that Krutul be placed in a drug program at Cook County Jail. Bail was set at $75,000. Krutul’s next hearing is Dec. 18.