Housekeeper Cleans Out Macy's: Prosecutor

A tearful housekeeper appeared before a Cook County judge on Tuesday after she was charged with stealing merchandise from an Orland Square department store.

Prosecutors said 50-year-old Debbie Velasco was part of the evening housekeeping crew at Macy’s. During her shift, she concealed eight items of clothing inside plastic garbage bags and walked out of the store.

She was able to elude loss prevention officers. Orland Park police stopped her car where they found and recovered the clothing, according to the charges.

“What a way to turn 50,” Cook County Judge Peter Felice said during the bond hearing. “Bite the hand that feeds you.”

The assistant public defender told the judge that Velasco had only recently moved to the Chicago area. She has no prior criminal background.

“I worked there a month,” Velasco wept.

The housekeeper was given a $10,000 I-bond. She was also ordered to stay away from Macy’s.