August 30, 2024
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced today that charges have been filed against two Chicago women for allegedly stealing more than $1,150 worth of merchandise from the Oak Brook Ulta Beauty store. Reneashia McDowell, 31 (d.o.b. 3/17/1993) of the 7400 block of S. Yates Boulevard and Shania Jacobs, 28 (d.o.b. 3/2/1996), of the 7500 block of S. Yates Boulevard both appeared in court this morning charged with one count of Burglary (Class 2 Felony) and two counts of Retail Theft (one Class 2 Felony and one Class 3 Felony). Both women are presently on pre-trial release for allegedly stealing $499.98 worth of merchandise from the Yorktown JCPenney department store on August 9, 2024. At today’s hearing, where both women were released on the new charges as required by law, the State filed a petition to revoke both McDowell’s and Jacobs’ pre-trial release on their previous case. Judge Margaret O’Connell granted the State’s petition to revoke pre-trial release for both women.
It is alleged that on August 9, 2024, McDowell and Jacobs entered the JCPenney store, located at 175 Yorktown Mall Drive, and walked toward the children’s section of the store. It is alleged that after Jacobs selected four items of children’s clothing and McDowell selected six items of children's clothing, the women went upstairs to the jewelry department. It is further alleged that after Jacobs selected a jewelry box containing a necklace, both women returned downstairs where they entered a fitting room together. It is alleged that the women left the fitting room with Jacobs wearing the necklace and the merchandise in bags and then exited the store without paying for the items. Both women were arrested, charged with felony burglary and retail theft and released with conditions, one of which was that they not violate any criminal statute of any jurisdiction. In the most recent case, it is alleged that on August 29, 2024, McDowell and Jacobs entered the Ulta Beauty store, located at 2155 West 22nd Street, carrying empty bags. It is alleged that the defendants then selected perfumes, placed the merchandise in the bags they brought with them and exited the store without paying for the merchandise where they were arrested by Oak Brook police officers. The value of the items alleged taken by McDowell and Jacobs is approximately $1,168.
“Judge O’Connell’s order to revoke pre-trial release and order that both defendants be detained pending trial sends the message that in DuPage County we take these types of crimes seriously,” Berlin said. “Retail theft is not a victimless crime. Businesses, employees, patrons and the entire community all feel the effects of higher prices, lower wages and loss of safety and security as a result. I caution anyone who is even thinking about coming to DuPage County to steal that if you do, you will be caught, charged and prosecuted. I also want to stress that conditions of pre-trial release are an order of the Court and are not optional. If you violate those conditions, you may find yourself behind bars awaiting trial. Once again, I commend the Oak Brook Police Department for their ongoing efforts in keeping our businesses and patrons safe. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Jeff O’Boyle and Andrew Poncer for their work in securing charges against the defendants.”
“These two offenders figured they'd come out to Oak Brook for an easy steal and when they exited the store, they were met by ten Oak Brook officers with eight marked and undercover squads,” Strockis said. “We take all criminal offenses seriously in Oak Brook and I hope these offenders tell their friends about their experience here. I'd like to thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his team for their support of our law enforcement efforts in protecting our local businesses.”
The next court date for McDowell is scheduled for September 24, 2024, for arraignment. The next court date for Jacobs is scheduled for September 23, 2024, for arraignment. Both cases will be heard in front of Judge O’Connell.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
