Thieves stealing credit cards in Arlington Hts. rack up big charges

Thieves using charge cards stolen out of purses left hanging over chairs at restaurants in Arlington Heights have racked up thousands of dollars in fraudulent charges, police said.

In the most recent case, thieves stole a wallet out of a purse hanging on the victim’s chair while the woman left to pick up her food at Chipotle restaurant, 338 E. Rand Road, between 11:30 a.m. and noon Jan. 10. Someone used a debit card and credit card in the wallet for $1,800 in purchases in Arlington Heights, Mount Prospect, and Gurnee.

And on Jan. 2, thieves stole a wallet out of a purse hanging from the victim’s chair at Portillos, 806 W. Dundee Road, between 1 and 1:30 p.m. Someone used a credit card in the wallet at an Arlington Heights Target and Palatine Target; total charges were estimated at $5,000.