Couple charged in retail thefts in Elmhurst, Villa Park

Two people are held in DuPage County in connection with retail thefts in Elmhurst and Villa Park, prosecutors said.

Jessica Hargrays, 39, of Chicago is charged with retail theft and burglary and is held on $15,000 bail. Johnnie West, 52, of Maywood is held on $20,000 bail and faces the same charges.

Prosecutors say the couple entered the Elmhurst T-Mobile store about 6:52 p.m. Thursday, and Hargrays immediately went to work distracting employees at the counter. With the employees believed to be distracted, prosecutors said, West cut a pair of headphones from a display and left the store with the headphones.

Minutes later, Elmhurst police officers stopped the couple's car and made the arrests.

Earlier Thursday, prosecutors alleged, Hargrays stole 10 bottles of body wash, valued at $63, from a Villa Park Walgreens.

"Once again, we see individuals traveling to DuPage County to allegedly commit a crime," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "And once again, thanks to the fine police work of the Elmhurst Police Department, those individuals were apprehended quickly and will now face the full force and effect of the law."

Hargrays' next court appearance for body wash case is scheduled for May 7, in front of Judge Robert Miller. The next court appearance for Hargrays and West for the T-Mobile case is scheduled for May 10, in front of Judge Jeffrey MacKay.