EPD Busts ‘Professional Pickpocket Crew’

Evanston police busted a “professional pickpocket crew” Saturday that it said rapidly produced fake identification in order to use stolen credit cards, authorities said, resulting in felony theft charges against one man.

Police said an investigation revealed that the “pickpocket crew” operated by stealing credit cards, quickly manufacturing fake I.D.s, and then using the cards and identification to make purchases at stores before the credit cards could be reported stolen.

Evanston police said in a press release that it responded to a theft call at 1:15 p.m. Saturday at Bar Louie, 1520 Sherman Ave. Upon arrival, a woman told police that three subjects had been sitting at a nearby table and that when they left the restaurant, she realized her wallet was missing.

According to the press release, a police dispatcher who monitored a surveillance camera in the area saw the three alleged offenders entering a black Jeep Cherokee before leaving the area. Shortly after, Evanston detectives spotted the vehicle near Target, 2209 W. Howard St., and were able to detain two subjects.

Police said they were able to recover the items stolen from the woman and found computer hardware that had been used to make fraudulent identification cards.

Mark E. Mack, a 41-year-old Chicago man, was charged with felony theft and is scheduled to appear for a hearing May 8 in Cook County 2nd District Circuit Court, Skokie.

Evanston police spokesperson Cmdr. Jay Parrott said that a second subjected had been arrested but no charges had been filed as of Tuesday morning. 

Parrott also said a famale offender may have been involved, but she alluded police, exiting the vehicle before they arrived on the scene.

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