Three suspects were arrested after prosecutors say they committed two robberies of elderly women, including one in which the victim was dragged on the ground in Waukegan.
Demazjae J. Neal, 18, of North Chicago, was charged with two counts of robbery of an elderly victim, theft over $10,000, possession of a stolen vehicle, three counts of using a forged credit or debit card and two counts of unlawful possession of a credit or debit card.
Desmond B. Balenitinse, 23, of North Chicago, was charged with robbery of an elderly victim, possession of a stolen vehicle and theft over $10,000.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Chloe Juergensen said a man reported that his red Ford Fusion was stolen from his driveway in Waukegan on February 20.
Video footage showed three suspects, identified as Neal, Balenitinse and a juvenile, getting into the vehicle.
Balenitinse admitted that they all stole the vehicle, Juergensen said.
The suspects drove in the stolen vehicle to a Jewel-Osco parking lot in Waukegan a short time later.
Juergensen said the juvenile jumped out of the car and grabbed an elderly woman’s purse, dragging her by the purse.
Balenitinse allegedly opened the rear door of the stolen vehicle so the juvenile could get in with the stolen purse.
Neal drove the car away from the scene, Juergensen said. The incident was captured on surveillance video.
The female victim went home and called 911. The purse contained an iPhone, cash, a checkbook and a gift card.
Balenitinse made admissions to police about being at the scene.
The three suspects were later captured on surveillance video in North Chicago getting out of the stolen Ford and getting into another vehicle.
Neal, Balenitinse and the juvenile then went to Walmart in Waukegan where Neal used the victim’s credit card to purchase a gaming system, Juergensen said.
Neal went into a Walgreens in Waukegan where he allegedly attempted to make another purchase with the credit card.
Juergensen said that Neal and the juvenile suspect later went to a Lewis Fresh Market in Waukegan and approached an elderly woman, forcefully grabbing her purse.
Neal and Balenitinse were stopped by police on Friday while walking down 14th Street on the border of Waukegan and North Chicago, Juergensen said.
Lake County Judge Michael Betar ordered Neal held on a $100,000 bond and Balenitinse held on a $75,000 bond.
Both men remain held in the Lake County Jail as of Tuesday morning.