Ray Graham official pleads guilty to thefts

A Chicago woman pleaded guilty Monday to stealing Illinois Link Cards from two disabled residents of Lisle's Ray Graham Association.

Nakarria L. Bell, 31, of the 1500 block of North Mayfield Street, faces probation or a prison sentence of between three and seven years after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated identity theft.

Prosecutors said Bell worked as an administrator in the association's corporate office in Lisle.

Naperville police began investigating the theft on Nov. 5, 2013, after a Link Card was reported missing from a safe at one of the Ray Graham Association's satellite homes in their city.

Several weeks later, Downers Grove police began investigating a card reported stolen from another Ray Graham satellite facility in their town.

Assistant State's Attorney Diane Michalak said the victims have functional age equivalents of 5- and 2-year-olds respectively.

Michalak said Bell, in her capacity as an administrator, had access to the safes at the association's satellite homes. They say that at some point before Oct. 27, 2013, Bell opened the safe at the Naperville location and took an Illinois Link Card. Between Nov. 24 and Nov. 27, 2013, Bell also is accused of opening the safe at the Downers Grove location and taking a Link Card.

Bell is accused of using both cards to purchase a total of about $600 in groceries and gasoline.

A message seeking comment from Ray Graham officials was not immediately returned Monday.

Judge Robert Kleeman is expected to sentence Bell on Oct. 23. She is being held on $75,000 bail.