Wallet, Cell Phone Stolen from Purse Left in Store Dressing Room

A 43-year-old woman is accused of pinching money and a cell phone from a purse left in a dressing room at an Orland Square Mall store, prosecutors said.

Tabatha Johnson-Nelson, 43, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a felony theft charge.

According to the charges, Tabatha entered a dressing room around 1:47 p.m. April 20, where the owner of the purse had been trying on clothes at Love Culture, 288 Orland Square Drive, Orland Park.

The prosecutor said Johnson-Nelson entered the dressing room and removed the woman’s wallet and cell phone.

The walled contained 29 twenty-dollar bills. Police found 27 of the twenties in Johnson-Nelson’s possession, the prosecutor alleged.

Johnson-Nelson has no prior criminal background.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Johnson-Nelson works for the state as a mental health technician.

Bail was set at $20,000. Johnson-Nelson is due back in court May 17 in Bridgeview.