Couple denies stealing phones to sell online

A Hawthorn Woods couple pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges they stole more than $110,000 worth of cell phones to sell on an online auction site.

Joseph and Melissa Gibrick, of the first block of Kensington Court, are charged with theft and other offenses in the case.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Mary Stanton said the couple would visit AT&T Wireless stores in the area and apply for multiple phones using the names of nonexistent companies.

The business package discounts were so great, Stanton said, that at one store the Gibricks left with 15 telephones worth $3,750 after paying only $300.

Lincolnshire police caught up with their operation when an officer tracked down their address in July while negotiating to buy one of the phones with Joseph Gibrick online, Stanton said.

Stores in Highland Park, Lincolnshire, Gurnee, Libertyville and Vernon Hills are believed to have been victimized in the scheme, Stanton said.

The investigation of the case is continuing, she said, and detectives believe other stores in other counties may have been victimized.

Joseph Gibrick, 55, is charged with aggravated identity theft for using the financial information of an 82-year-old man on some of the documents used to obtain the phones.

He is also charged with theft, forgery and online sale of stolen property in the case.

Melissa Gibrick, 48, is charged with theft.

Associate Judge Christopher Stride told the couple they face up to five years in prison if convicted and ordered both to appear in court Sept. 21.