Beatriz Villegas, 30, of Chicago, (inset) was arrested following multiple retail thefts committed by herself, a second woman and a 10-year-old child that occurred at stores inside Gurnee Mills mall in Gurnee on December 20, 2024. | Background Photo: Google Street View; Inset: Provided

Police say charges are pending against a woman wanted for stealing thousands of dollars in products from stores at Gurnee Mills with her 10-year-old daughter and another woman.

The Gurnee Police Department responded around 4:04 p.m. on December 10 to a call of a retail theft in progress at Zumiez inside Gurnee Mills, 6170 West Grand Avenue in Gurnee.

Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor said officers were alerted by mall security.

The caller provided a description of three female Hispanic subjects carrying Home Goods bags, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Vukovich.

Officers arrived and detained two females who matched the description at the entrance of Gurnee Mills.

Vukovich said a Zumiez employee was following the subjects and positively identified them as the suspects.

One of the subjects detained was a 10-year-old Chicago girl and the second subject was Beatriz Villegas, 30, of Chicago.

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The 10-year-old was carrying a Home Goods bag containing stolen items from several different stores, Gaylor said. Villegas was also carrying a bag filled with stolen merchandise.

Villegas reported her vehicle was parked and officers went to look for the third suspect but were unable to locate her, Vukovich said.

Vukovich said Villegas admitted the three went into the mall and stole items before returning to the car to drop off the items and then returning to the mall again to steal more items.

The 10-year-old admitted to taking the items under the direction of her mother, who was the second woman involved and fled prior to officers arriving.

Vukovich said the suspects stole products from Spencer’s, the LEGO store, GameStop, VBH Toys Kiosk and Crocs.

The group had stole over $2,000 worth of merchandise, Gaylor said, adding that Villegas confessed to stealing more than $800 worth of items.

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The 10-year-old was released to a guardian and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) was notified of the incident.

Villegas was arrested and charged with retail theft and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

She was transported to the Gurnee Police Department where she was released with a notice to appear for a First Appearance Court hearing on January 6.

Villegas appeared at the initial court hearing and was ordered to have no contact with the stores involved.

Villegas is scheduled to appear in court again on February 4 for a status of preliminary hearing.

Gaylor said Monday that charges are pending against the second adult female suspect. “The investigation is ongoing, and the Gurnee Police Department is working closely with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.”