Old Orchard Nordstrom Staffer Accused Of Making $5,484 In Fake Returns

SKOKIE, IL — A department store employee is accused of stealing nearly $5,500 worth of merchandise by processing phony returns.

Merey Mikhail, 20, of the 6400 block of North Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, was arrested Tuesday at Nordstrom Old Orchard Center, 4937 Old Orchard Center, Skokie, and charged with felony theft following an internal store investigation, according to police and prosecutors.

Prosecutors said Mikhail would make legitimate purchases from the store and pay for the items. But 10 times between Jan. 10 and March 18, Mikhail processed fraudulent returns onto her credit card or gift cards, according to Assistant State's Attorney Jenna Reinhardt.

"Surveillance videos captured these incidents and showed that no items were actually returned," Reinhardt said Wednesday at Mikhail's initial court appearance.

Defense attorney Pete Garbis said Mikhail was a 2019 Mather High School graduate studying business at Loyola University Chicago.

Mikhail was released on her own recognizance and a pledge to stay away from the Nordstrom and reappear in court for an April 13 preliminary hearing.