Woman Accused of Stealing Check From 79-Year-Old Orland Park Woman

ORLAND PARK, IL -- A criminal justice major from Kennedy-King College tried to cash a check stolen from a 79-year-old woman that she planned to split three ways with her cousin and cousin’s fiance, prosecutors said. Keanu Coker-Monden appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a charge of forgery. A $25,000 arrest warrant for Coker-Monden had been issued in July.

Coker-Monden allegedly presented a check signed by the elderly woman on July 18 at AJ Smith Bank in Orland Park. The check was made out to Coker-Monden in the amount of $764. The teller knew the check wasn’t valid because the woman’s son signed her checks. When the teller went to get her boss, Coker-Monden left the bank. She was arrested on Oct. 23, the prosecutor said.

Orland Park police said Coker-Monden told them her cousin’s finance was the woman’s caregiver. Coker-Monden, her cousin and cousin’s fiance had planned to split the $764 three ways.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Coker-Monden was studying criminal justice at Kennedy-King College. Coker-Monden has no prior criminal background.

“I think someone led her astray,” Felice said.

The judge released Coker-Monden on a $25,000 I-bond.

“You need to stay away from these people,” Felice said.

Coker-Monden is due back in court Nov. 7 in Bridgeview.