Accused Jewel Grocery Thief Nabbed By Police

WILMETTE, IL - Wilmette police arrested a woman who was accused by a store manager of stealing from the Jewel food store on Green Bay Road. Debra Tripp, 57, of Evanston was charged with retail theft at 6:23 p.m. on Jan. 6 after police stopped the car she was seen entering after leaving the store.

A police report indicates a store manager confronted Tripp after she left the store with a shopping cart containing groceries she did not pay for. Tripp left the merchandise behind but was spotted leaving the store's property in a vehicle driven by a 64-year-old Des Plaines man.

When police stopped the vehicle nearby, the man told officers he was unaware that Tripp had attempted to commit a theft. He was released on scene, according to police.

Patch file photo / Jonah Meadows