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Bartlett man accused of stealing from Walgreens wants computers, cash returned

A Bartlett man accused of stealing more than $100,000 in computer equipment from Walgreen Co. is asking to have two laptop computers, an iPhone and about $25,000 in cash returned to him.

The lawyer for Richard Pickard, 46, of the 500 block of Versailles Lane, said the case is a “misinterpretation by police,” and that Pickard will ultimately be found innocent.

“When the time comes, we will be putting in a not guilty plea,” defense attorney Michael Salvi of Lake Zurich said. “But, right now, our concern is to get his stuff back. These are very important personal items that were confiscated by police that my client needs.”

Pickard was arrested Feb. 14 and charged with theft over $100,000, aggravated computer tampering and computer fraud after police said he stole computer components from the Walgreen Co.'s corporate information technology office at 2 Overlook Point in Lincolnshire.

Among the items police say were taken by Pickard — who is a subcontractor and not a Walgreen employee — was a computer server that operates the phone systems at 75 Walgreens stores in the Chicago area.

Walgreen officials have not returned calls seeking comment.

Lincolnshire police said corporate investigators determined the computer server to run the phone system had been unplugged and removed from the facility, and that Pickard was the only person with access to the equipment.

Police investigators said Pickard admitted to the theft when they searched his home last week.

During the search, officials said, a second computer server featuring equipment that had been taken from Walgreen Co. was also confiscated, along with laptop computers, the iPhone and more than $24,000 in cash.

The theft remains under investigation, authorities said.

Pickard remains free from jail after posting the required 10 percent of his $100,000 bond.

Salvi added that while the Lincolnshire Police Department is staffed with “fine investigators,” the situation is a misunderstanding.

“He is a good man, a family man, and ultimately he will be found not guilty,” Salvi said.

Man charged in theft of $100,000 in Walgreens equipment

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