Tinley Park Cops Seek Woman's Arrest for Alleged Retail Theft

TINLEY PARK, IL -- An arrest warrant was issued for an Oak Lawn woman wanted on a retail theft charge in Tinley Park. Police told the judge she was identified after she was confronted by security officers and fled the scene.

According to the detective, Catherine Phares, 32, was observed on Aug. 7 putting merchandise inside her purse at Menards, 6851 W 159th St,, Tinley Park. When security officers confronted Phares outside the store, she ran away, leaving her purse behind at the scene.

Several stolen items were allegedly found inside her purse, along with a credit card bearing her name. After she was identified, a security officer picked out her photo from a photo array.

The detective said they went to her Oak Lawn address in the 10300 block of Parkside Drive, but were told Phares had moved out sometime last year. The investigation also turned up a phone number.

When investigators called the number, a woman answered the phone and denied that she was Phares. The detective said he told her it would to be to Phares’ benefit if she turned herself into police.

Phares received 30 months probation after she was convicted in 2014 for unauthorized possession of a prescription pad, the prosecutor said.