Sam's Club Employees Give Themselves Gift of Fraudulent Gift Cards: Prosecutor

HODGKINS, IL -- Two Sam’s Club employees were arrested after they loaded thousands of dollars on store gift cards, prosecutors said. Both were charged with theft.

Teale Lindsey, 19, of Elmwood Park, and David Harvey, 20, of Chicago, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice. Both were employed at the Sam’s Club in Hodgkins. Between June 23 and July 1, prosecutors said Lindsey and Harvey fraudulently loaded over $8,000 on Sam’s Club gift cards.

Around June 23, the prosecutor said Harvey approached Lindsey and asked for her to show him how to add value on store gift cards. Lindsey allegedly loaded twelve gift cards totalling $1,800. Over the next several days, the prosecutor said Harvey racked up over $7,000 in store gift cards.

The two were arrested on July 1 and charged with felony theft. Lindsey has no prior criminal background and was released on a $25,000 I-bond. There was some debate between the judge and prosecutor before Harvey’s bail was lowered from $15,000 to $5,000, with ten-percent to apply.

The prosecutor also asked for special conditions of bond, that both employees not be allowed to return to the Hodgkins’ Sam’s Club while the case is pending.

“Assuming they’re both still employed there,” the prosecutor said.

Harvey is due back in court July 10 in Bridgeview. Lindsey’s next court hearing is July 18.