Three Arrested in Alleged Pickpocket Scam

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three offenders in a pickpocket scam that began in mid-January in the Deer Park Town Center.

On Jan. 15 and 19, the offenders allegedly entered the Panera Bread Company in Deer Park as well as the Noodles & Company in Deer Park with the intention of taking wallets from purses that patrons would hang over their seats while eating in both establishments.

Sheriff’s investigators recovered video from the stores in an effort to identify potential suspects. Detectives soon learned that similar incidents had occurred in the Riverwoods area and Riverwoods police had picked up three suspects. Prior to going to bond court on the Riverwoods charges, investigators interviewed the suspects and were able to identify them as the same suspects that were on video in Deer Park.

It was determined that the suspects would take credit cards from the victims' wallets and use them to purchase Target gift cards at the Palatine Target located on Dundee Road in Palatine, Illinois.

Charged in the case were: Michelle L. Johnson, 26, of 6308 Maplewood in Chicago; Marva D. Karikari, 40, of 8421 Captons Lane in Darien; and Rickey Anderson, 45, of 9132 Blackstone in Chicago.

“Cooperation and information-sharing among local law enforcement is crucial to combating criminal cases like this one,” said Sheriff Mark Curran. 

All three were charged with one count each of Unlawful Use of a Credit Card, a Class 3 felony. The suspects appeared this morning in front of Judge Raymond Collins, where bond was set at $50,000 for Anderson and $25,000 for both Johnson and Karikari.

Detectives will work with other Chicago area police to determine if the trio is responsible for any further crimes. Anyone who feels they may have fallen victim to this type of crime is encouraged to call Detective David Tomasello at (847) 377-4250.  

The Lake County Sheriff's Office provided this information.