Police captured three suspects after they allegedly stole over $1,000 worth of alcohol from a Gurnee store and then returned days later to steal more alcohol.
The Gurnee Police Department responded on December 19 to a delayed retail theft report at a store in the 6500 block of Grand Avenue in Gurnee.
Sam’s Club and Walmart are both in the 6500 block of Grand Avenue but officials did not disclose which store was involved.
Store staff reported that four males had exited the store with over $1,000 worth of alcohol and did not pay, according to Gurnee Police Department Public Information Officer Shawn Gaylor.
It was learned that two of the suspects had entered the store, selected various bottles of alcohol and exited without paying.
Gaylor said two additional males entered the store moments later, loaded a shopping cart with alcohol and exited without paying. All four males left the area in the same vehicle.
The case remained under investigation as officers worked to identify the offenders.
Five days later, the Gurnee Police Department responded to the same store around 2:45 p.m. on December 24.
Two males attempted to steal approximately 20 cases of beer, Gaylor said. Loss prevention staff was able to stop the suspects and recover the stolen alcohol.
Officers arrived on the scene and identified one of the suspects as 30-year-old Jesus Quintero-Jerez.
The second suspect, 25-year-old Yormon Rafael Lopez Reges, fled the scene in a vehicle but was quickly located at a nearby store, Gaylor said.
As officers approached, Lopez Reges attempted to change his clothing inside the store but officers were able to identify him.
Lopez Reges fled on foot but was quickly apprehended after a brief foot chase, Gaylor said.
Officers located the getaway vehicle in the parking lot where they discovered a third suspect, 31-year-old Jainer Gutierrez-Quintero, who was also arrested.
The loss prevention team at the store positively identified all three suspects as being involved in the December 19 retail theft and December 24 retail theft.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved charges in both incidents.
Lopez Reges, Quintero-Jerez and Gutierrez-Quintero were charged with retail theft.
Lopez Reges and Gutierrez-Quintero were additionally charged with obstructing identification and Lopez Reges was additionally charged with resisting a peace officer.