A Chicago man was arrested for allegedly storing nearly $1 million worth of stolen shoes in a West Side warehouse. This is not his first run-in with the law as he was previously arrested in a similar case in 2023. Authorities are using new technology to combat repeat offenders in retail theft cases.
A Chicago man, Erick Lujano Bautista, 26, is facing theft charges after authorities discovered nearly $1 million worth of allegedly stolen shoes in a West Side warehouse. Lujano Bautista was arrested on Friday following the execution of a search warrant at a warehouse he was subleasing in the 1500 block of South Western Avenue. Investigators had received information indicating a large quantity of stolen footwear was being stored there.
Inside the warehouse, police found thousands of Nike and New Balance brand shoes believed to be stolen. Authorities determined Lujano Bautista was not an authorized seller for either brand. This isn't the first time Lujano Bautista has been connected to a high-value theft ring. He was previously arrested in another such operation in Lyons in 2023, where millions of dollars' worth of shoes were found in another warehouse. At his initial court appearance on Sunday, Lujano Bautista was released from custody pending trial. However, he was ordered to surrender his passport, report to a probation officer, and attend all future court dates. The incident has sparked concerns about repeat offenders in theft cases. Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, expressed his dismay at seeing the same individuals repeatedly involved in such crimes. Karr highlighted the prevalence of repeat offenders in retail theft, stating that 70% of those charged with retail theft engage in repeated offenses. He attributed this to various factors, including smash-and-grab burglaries and theft from cargo trains.To combat this issue, state law enforcement is utilizing a new technology called Auror. This system facilitates the sharing of information on theft rings and alerts retailers to potential criminal activity in their area. Auror also streamlines the process for prosecutors to obtain necessary information. The system allows law enforcement agencies across multiple jurisdictions to remain vigilant for offenders operating in their respective areas. Karr emphasized the effectiveness of Auror in other states and expressed confidence in its success in Illinois. In a separate development, Lujano Bautista had his charges dropped in 2023. CBS News Chicago reached out to the Cook County State's Attorney's office seeking clarification on the reasons behind the dropped charges but did not receive a response
Theft Shoes Chicago Warehouse Repeat Offenders Auror Retail Crime
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