Crystal Lake man accused of buying stolen designer frames
Seung H. Lee, 34, was charged with felony theft Wednesday after South Elgin police said he bought what he believed were stolen designer eyeglass frames during an undercover sting operation.
Police said Lee, of the 3400 block of East Crystal Lake Avenue in Crystal Lake, paid $520 for 12 pairs of Italian designer frames - Dolce and Gabbana, Prada and Versace.
The frames, which retail for more than $250 each, are worth a total of $3,286, said Sgt. Mike Doty.
The sting culminated a two-month probe by South Elgin police, Doty said.
Once Lee obtained the stolen merchandise, authorities said, he would sell the frames on the Internet to area customers, well below retail value.
Police are continuing their investigation and don't know how long Lee had been running his enterprise. But they caution online shoppers to be wary of scams.
"Some of these items that you buy on the Internet, if they sound too good too be true, usually they are," Doty said. "So definitely know who you're buying your items from."
Theft in Lee's case is a Class 3 felony that carries a maximum sentence of two to five years in prison.
He was released from jail Thursday after posting $1,000 bond. His next court appearance is Sept. 14 at the Kane County Judicial Center.