Security Guard Steals Phones From Store He Was Hired to Protect: Prosecutor

ORLAND PARK, IL -- An Orland Square security guard is accused of stealing merchandise from the store he was hired to protect, prosecutors said. Yancey Walker, 35, of Crestwood, is charged with theft after he allegedly stole three iPhones from the Apple Store.

According to the charges, Walker took three iPhones out of their boxes from the stockroom shelf. He then put the empty boxes back on the shelf, which were were sold to customers. When the customers took the boxes home, the prosecutor said they discovered the boxes were empty and complained to the store.

Walker allegedly admitted in writing to taking the phones. The phones were valued at $1,797. The prosecutor said the phones have not been recovered.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Walker is a career security guard. She argued that Walker was having a hard time buying medication for his sick daughter.

“I find that comment remarkable,” Cook County Judge Peter Felice said. “He could go to Stroger Hospital or Comer [Children’s Hospital]. No one is this city would let a child go without medication.”

“That’s not as easy as you think,” the assistant public defender said.

The attorney argued for an I-bond or electronic monitoring, in keeping with imminent reforms to release defendants that pose no danger to the public or set any future bonds at amounts they can afford set to go into effect Sept. 18.

Judge Felice set bail at $18,000, requiring a 10-percent bond, “because that’s what he is accused of taking from the store he was hired to protect.”

Walker is due back in court Aug. 2 in Bridgeview. The judge said he may reconsider reducing bond on that date.