5 arrested in 1 week at New Lenox Walmart: cops

The New Lenox police were busy at the local Walmart in the week leading up to Christmas.

Four thieves were arrested and a wanted man was captured in the seven days between Dec. 18 and Christmas Eve, according to a statement released by the New Lenox Police Department.

About 5:30 p.m. on the first day of the alleged Christmastime crime spree, a Joliet woman was caught stealing about $160 worth of merchandise from the 501 E. Lincoln Highway megastore, police said.

At the same time the Joliet woman – identified as 28-year-old Vanessa Saunders – was arrested, a wanted Joliet man was arrested as well, police said.

The wanted man, Jason Bowen, 29, was arrested at the Walmart on a warrant, police said.

Saunders and Bowen reside together at the same home on Ridgewood Avenue, Will County jail records show, and for the six days following their arrests, they resided together at the Will County jail before they were released on bond Thursday.

Then, about 10 a.m. Dec. 21, another Joliet man, Charles Kinney, was arrested for filching from Walmart’s inventory, police said.

Kinney, who stole about $243 worth of superstore stock, police said, posted bond for his release at the New Lenox Police Department.

Less than four hours after Kinney was picked up, New Lenox officers were back at the Walmart to arrest Alicia Townsend, 32, of Frankfort, police said.

Townsend stole about $129 worth of merchandise, police said, and like Kinney, posted bond for her release at the police department.

Finally, during the early afternoon hours of Christmas Eve, Francisco Garcia, 33, of Joliet was arrested at Walmart, police said.

Garcia stole about $423 worth of Walmart’s inventory, police said, and also posted bond at the Police Department for his release.

The four thwarted thieves total attempted to make off with more than $950 in Walmart property, police said.