Package Thief Stole From Neighbors, Skokie Residents: Authorities

SKOKIE, IL — An unemployed local mechanic faces nine counts after authorities said he stole a series of packages from his neighbors at a Glenview apartment building, as well as from residents of the Optima Old Orchard Woods in Skokie.

John Delfin, 43, of the 100 block of Waukegan Road, was arrested Jan. 18 and charged with three counts of burglary and six counts of theft after he was identified on surveillance video by his building's property manager, according to Cook County prosecutors and police in Glenview and Skokie.

Delfin has been looking for work after losing his job as a mechanic, his defense attorney, Earl Vergara, told the judge Wednesday at an initial court appearance. His family was facing eviction, Delfin told authorities, even before he was charged with burglarizing the mail room at his building.

The first theft took place on Dec. 3 in the lobby of his building, according to Assistant State's Attorney Jenna Reinhardt. Delfin was seen on surveillance video rolling a dolly into the lobby, loading up a king-size mattress that had been delivered to one of his neighbors, and leaving. He later admitted to selling the mattress, Reinhardt said.

Next, on Dec. 28, Delfin used what appeared to be an orange-handled screwdriver to force open the door to the mailroom of his building and stole a computer monitor delivered to another neighbor, Reinhardt said. Investigators later got a search warrant for his apartment and discovered the tool and the monitor there, according to the prosecutor.

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After the new year, Delfin began burglarizing buildings other than his own, according to the charges.

On Jan. 2, he headed into the lobby of Oak Tower, 9655 Woods Drive in Skokie, and took an Amazon package that had been delivered earlier in the day, authorities said. The box contained an icemaker.

On Jan. 5, Delfin targeted another building at the Optima Old Orchard Woods development, 9735 Woods Drive, according to Reinhardt. The building has lockers for its tenants, as well as a locked room for larger packages, and entry requires a key or code, the prosecutor explained.

"In this case, [Delfin] followed behind an Amazon delivery person who entered his six digit code to gain access to the large package room. Once inside, [Deflin] removed a box containing an Instant Pot Pro," Reinhardt said. "[He] stated that he returned the Instant Pot to Macy's and received in-store credit."

Delfin returned Jan. 6 with a dolly. This time, he followed behind a resident who used her key fob to get in, Reinhardt said. He then loaded up a package containing miscellaneous kitchen items from Pottery Barn and left with it.

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Prosecutors said Delfin then resumed burglarizing his neighbors. On Jan. 10, he again used a tool to break into the mail room, this time stealing a vacuum sealer worth less than $60.

Then, on Jan. 18, Reinhardt said the property manager spotted Delfin stealing two packages of vintage shoes that had been delivered to another resident of his building before he was placed under arrest.

Delfin, who has no criminal record, was ordered detained unless he came up with $2,500 to secure his pretrial release. He posted the cash portion of his bond and is due back in court Feb. 9.