Four Suspects Believed to be Part of Transnational Criminal Organization
On Saturday, the Gurnee Police Department responded to a report of retail theft at the Kohl’s store inside Gurnee Mills Mall in Gurnee, Illinois. The incident led to the arrest of four Venezuelan migrants suspected of being part of a transnational criminal organization.
The Theft and Arrest
A loss prevention officer at Kohl’s reported observing three males and one female leaving the store with unpaid merchandise. The officer provided detailed descriptions and surveillance footage of the suspects, noting their distinctive clothing. The suspects were already identified as part of a larger criminal group.
Law enforcement was alerted to a vehicle with distinctive markings on its rear windshield, which was later detected by the Flock Safety license plate reader system when it returned to the mall. Gurnee police officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, finding four occupants matching the descriptions of the theft suspects.
During the stop, officers observed a large magnet inside the car, typically used to remove security sensors from merchandise. The loss prevention officer positively identified all four individuals as the suspects involved in the retail theft.
The Suspects and Charges
The four individuals arrested and charged with one count of retail theft, a Class 3 felony, are:
- Esther L. Vega-Escobar, 30
- Frank T. Silva-Rivera, 26
- Jose J. Chirino-Falcon, 20
- Dany D. Hernandez-Colina, 26
Evidence and Recovery
A search of the vehicle’s trunk revealed stolen merchandise from Kohl’s, including suitcases, clothing, and shoes. The total value of the recovered items exceeded $2,300. Additionally, officers found a small machete, multiple phones, and laptops. Notably, the suspects were observed attempting to destroy phones when police stopped them.
Legal Proceedings
Following their arrest, the suspects appeared in First Appearance Court on Sunday. Vega-Escobar, Silva-Rivera, and Hernandez-Colina were released on Level 2 pre-trial release. They were ordered not to leave the state and to avoid contact with Gurnee Mills or any Kohl’s store. The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office did not file petitions to detain these three pending trial.
Chirino-Falcon, however, was held for a detention hearing, which took place on Tuesday afternoon. During this hearing, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Nicholas Shepherd revealed that all four suspects reside in a refugee camp in Chicago. Shepherd also stated that law enforcement believes the suspects are affiliated with a new transnational crime organization known as “Tren de Aragua” or TDA.
Tren de Aragua: A Growing Threat
According to a January report by Telemundo, Tren de Aragua is Venezuela’s largest criminal organization and has been expanding its operations into the United States, including Chicago. During interviews, the suspects demonstrated knowledge of the TDA, with one admitting to being a member and citing significant financial incentives. Two of the suspects were found to have tattoos associated with the organization.
Additional Legal Complications
Chirino-Falcon’s case is further complicated by two pending retail theft cases in Cook County, including an active failure to appear warrant in one of those cases.
Judicial Decision
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak granted the state’s petition to detain Chirino-Falcon pending trial, citing him as a willful flight risk. The judge stated, “Frankly, if I let him out, he’s just going to disappear into the mist so to speak,” noting the defendant’s illegal entry into the country and involvement with a large criminal organization. Judge Potkonjak described Chirino-Falcon as “the poster child for willful flight.”
This case highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in dealing with organized retail theft and the potential involvement of international criminal networks. As investigations continue, authorities will likely focus on the broader implications of transnational criminal organizations operating within the United States and their impact on local communities.
