Mundelein man admits to Palatine check theft

A 44-year-old Mundelein man will spend the next two years on misdemeanor probation after pleading guilty to theft.

Kurt Kim, of the 25000 block of North Arrowhead, entered his guilty plea on Friday in court in Rolling Meadows after prosecutors reduced the charges against him from a class 3 felony to a class A misdemeanor.

Authorities say the incident occurred more than two years ago at a Palatine car dealership where Kim worked as a finance manager. Kim convinced a customer to leave blank the 'pay to the order of' section on a signed check for $5,000, then filled in his own name on the check, authorities said.

Kim, who has no criminal background, must also pay restitution, prosecutors said.