Police have announced the arrest of a babysitter accused of stealing jewelry, handbags and clothing from homeowners in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff and selling them online.
Lake Forest Police Chief John Burke said his department was notified last month of a babysitter who was suspected of stealing jewelry, handbags and clothing from both Lake Forest and Lake Bluff homeowners.
The suspect in the investigation, Darissa A. Chavarria, 22, of unincorporated Lake Bluff, was accused of taking the items from various residences and posting them for sale on Facebook Marketplace, Burke said.
A joint investigation ensued by the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff police departments.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved an arrest warrant for Chavarria charging her for the first Lake Forest case on January 9 with two counts of theft between $500 and $10,000, Class 3 and 4 felonies.
The Lake Forest Police Department was soon after informed by a Lake Bluff resident of jewelry, bags and clothing — totaling over $10,000 — that were missing from her residence.
The homeowner suspected Chavarria, a previously employed babysitter, as being the suspect, Burke said.
Burke said the missing items were discovered as being sold by Chavarria on Facebook Marketplace.
The Lake Forest Police Department contacted the Lake Bluff Police Department alerting them of the incident.
A second Lake Forest resident came forward on January 27 reporting missing jewelry, totaling approximately $1,700, from her residence.
She also suspected Chavarria, a previously employed babysitter, of taking the items, Burke said.
The Lake Forest Police Department obtained a search warrant on January 28 for Chavarria’s residence in unincorporated Lake Bluff.
The Lake Forest and Lake Bluff police departments executed the search warrant on the same day.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office on Friday approved another arrest warrant for two counts of theft between $500 and $10,000, Class 3 and 4 felonies, for the second Lake Forest case.
The Lake Bluff Police Department also obtained an arrest warrant for Chavarria for theft over $10,000, a Class 2 felony, for their case.
“We commend the victims who came forward to report these thefts,” Burke said.
“Many people hesitate to report theft, but victims coming forward is essential helps us recover stolen property and also prevents future crimes,” Burke added.
Anyone who previously hired Chavarria as a babysitter is asked to check their valuables and contact their local police department if they suspect they were victimized.