Escapee Charged With Unlawful Possession of Debit Card: Cops

ORLAND PARK, IL — An Orland Park man who escaped from police after being on the run for several weeks is accused of credit card fraud. Patrick Conroyd, 37, appeared before Cook County Judge John Mahoney on felony charges of escape, possession of a stolen debit card and identity theft.

A woman reported multiple credit cards and an iPod were stolen on June 28. The prosecutor said Conroyd used two of the cards to purchase athletic shoes and other miscellaneous items at Orland Square Mall, including a $100 gift card at Champs.

On July 9, detectives spotted Conroyd walking down the street from a window at the Orland Park police station. Conroyd was arrested and complained of an injury, the prosecutor said. He was taken to Palos Community Hospital, where the prosecutor said he escaped from his police escort. A warrant was issued for Conroyd’s arrest.

The prosecutor said Conroyd went to Disc Replay, where he tried to sell the stolen iPod. Police were called when the sales associate realized that the serial number matched that of the stolen iPod. The owner’s name also came up when the device was switched on.

The Champs manager identified Conroyd from a photo array, the prosecutor said. Conroyd was picked up by police on July 30. The prosecutor sold the judge that Conroyd has seven prior felony convictions, including time spent in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Bail was set at $100,000 for the escape charge, and $200,000 for the fraudulent use of credit cards. Conroyd’s next court date is Aug. 26 in Bridgeview.