Chicago, IL: Former $2M Lego thief, on trail for Hobby Lobby shoplifting gets 6 more months for Court Room Outburst
Already jailed for more than six months in what would ordinarily be considered a fairly minor suburban Chicago shoplifting case, Ignatius Pollara got another six months for direct contempt on Friday after a courtroom outburst. When he tried to speak in court and was told to stop talking by Judge Brian Telander, the 50-year-old lost his temper, began shouting, leaned over the bench and yelled a profanity as a deputy led him from the courtroom. Outside in the hallway, Pollara repeatedly shouted, "Help me! Police brutality!" as the deputy held him against a wall. Pollara loudly complained, "This is all a malicious prosecution for two paintbrushes!" Pollara hails from Florida but faces a felony burglary case in DuPage County, Illinois, after being charged with shoplifting two paintbrushes and some pencils from a Hobby Lobby store in Lombard during a vacation. Since he was already on probation in his home state for stealing some $2 million worth of Legos and other merchandise from retailers, his case was taken more seriously, resulting in a high bond after he was arrested last July. Before Friday's outburst, Telander set a June trial date for Pollara, after assistant public defender Mark Lyon said the defendant had rejected a plea offer. Heavily guarded, Pollara apologized for his outburst after a recess. The judge gave the defendant six months for contempt, then recused himself from the case, saying that he did not want to risk the appearance of a conflict. chicagotribune.com

Trumbull, CT: Seven Arrested in $300,000 Home Depot Internal Theft
Arrested on Sunday, April 10, and charged with conspiracy to commit larceny were Santiago Gonzalez, 22, of Bridgeport, and Jerel Santamaria, 21, of Monroe. Trumbull police arrested two men in connection with an employee theft ring that operated from January 2015 to October 2015 at the Home Depot on Monroe Turnpike. Santiago Gonzalez, 22, of Bridgeport and Jerel Santamaria, 21, of Monroe were both arrested at the Trumbull Police Department Sunday, April 10, on outstanding warrants for conspiracy to commit larceny in the second degree. According to a report, there are five more employees, including a shift manager, who have yet to be arrested in connection with the almost yearlong shoplifting spree that took place overnight at the store. Police told The Times Monday that the seven employees worked together as a cleaning crew at the store and stole valuable tools in the middle of the night when on break during their shift. According to the report, the shift manager estimated that more than $300,000 worth of tools had been stolen in total. trumbulltimes.com

Laguna Beach, CA: 3 arrested following $11,500 Smash and Grab at Robin's Jean Three people were arrested on suspicion of burglary after clothes valued at more than $11,500 were taken from a Forest Avenue retailer Saturday night, Laguna Beach police said. At around 6 p.m., a Laguna officer saw a female leaving Robin's Jean at 264 Forest Ave. with "arms full of merchandise." latimes.com


Shreveport, LA: Crime Stopper Reward offered in $600 JC Penney theft case
Shreveport police have released surveillance video of three men who they say stole merchandise from a department store last month. Back on March 20, officers were called to the JCPenney on reports of a shoplifting. When police arrived, they were told that 3 men walked into the store and stole numerous clothing items valued at more than $600 then fled the scene. ksla.com



Tilton, NH: 2 men arrested for credit card fraud at Tilton outlets;
Police seize counterfeit credit cards
Police arrested Jamaal Rose, 30, and Tyshon Morancie, 30, both of Brooklyn, New York, after confirming they used the counterfeit cards with stolen identities. Rose and Morancie were both found to be in possession of several cards. The men were charged with felony Organized Retail Crime. They were released from custody after signing waivers of extradition. wmur.com