Arlington Heights theft suspect leaves wallet behind

An Arlington Heights woman accused of stealing charcoal and other items Sunday morning was arrested after her wallet with photo identification in it was found in the supermarket where police said the incident occurred.

Jennifer Cain, 33, of the first block of North Belmont Avenue, was charged with misdemeanors of retail theft and possession of cannabis. She was freed on bond, pending an appearance next month in Cook County Circuit Court's Rolling Meadows branch.

Arlington Heights Police Sgt. Tom Boggs said Cain visited the Jewel supermarket at 440 E. Rand Road about 7:30 a.m. Sunday and placed a bag of Kingsford charcoal, a case of Ice Mountain water and a bottle of Xtra liquid detergent in a shopping cart and then exited the store without paying.

Boggs said a Jewel employee followed Cain after seeing her leave the building and load the items, with a total value of about $24, into a blue Honda Civic before driving off. He said the worker tried to write down the Honda's license plate number.

However, Boggs said, a man shopping in the store a short time later found a wallet on top of the Kingsford display. Boggs said the man turned in the wallet at a customer service desk.

Cain's photo identification with her current address on it was inside the wallet. Boggs said police went to the address and found Cain, who in a police report was described as possibly under the influence.

Police said they found nearly 2 grams of marijuana on Cain when she was arrested.