Woman Sought In $65,000 Deer Park Jewelry Heist

Late last week, Lake County Sheriff’s detectives were able to crack the case on a jewelry heist in Deer Park that occurred in mid-January.

Felony burglary warrants have been issued for Christie Partipilo, 35 and Jeffrey S. Levin, 53, both of 144 Slocum Lake Road in Wauconda, according to a press release from Lt. Christopher Thompson of the Lake County Sheriff’s department.

Levin is in custody on a burglary charge in Springfield and Partipilo is currently wanted on the warrant. 

The sheriff’s office received a call Jan. 12 about a possible burglary in progress in the 20500 block of Meadow Lane in Deer Park.

Deputies arrived on the scene to find the front door of the residence kicked in and evidence that a burglary had occurred. 

The homeowners reported $65,000 worth of jewelry had been taken from the home.

Lake County sheriff detectives worked with area businesses and were able to identify Partipilo as a person of interest after she attempted to sell jewelry netted from the burglary at a local pawn shop.

On January 27, investigators conducted a traffic stop on Partipilo and charged her with driving on a suspended license. She then reported to detectives that Levin, her live-in boyfriend committed the burglary as she waited in the getaway car.

Partipilo also confessed she had attempted to sell the stolen jewelry at the pawn shop.

“This is a classic example of excellent police work by our investigators on this case,” said Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran. “Their tenacity and drive has helped bring two people to justice and has also salvaged some expensive property that may have otherwise never been recovered.”

A portion of the jewelry from the pawn shop has since been returned to the homeowners.

The case has been turned over to the Sheriff’s Office Warrant’s Division, and bond on the warrants are $250,000 for Levin and $25,000 for Partipilo who is still at large.