Task force arrests two suspects in purse-snatchings

Two people have been arrested on charges of stealing more than 50 purses from cars in a "smash and grab" scheme that took place throughout Lake and Cook counties.

Carrie A. Schuler, 25, of the 600 block of Orrington Court in Lake Zurich, and Michael D. Matusek, 26, of the 800 block of Plum Grove Road in Palatine, each have been charged with identity theft and unlawful use of credit cards after a joint investigation of six police departments, said Lake Zurich Police Cmdr. Kevin Finlon.

Schuler also is charged with two counts of burglary in addition to the single counts of identity theft and unlawful use of credit cards. Matusek is charged with three counts of identity theft and three counts of unlawful use of credit cards, Finlon said. The thefts occurred between November and February

Matusek is in Cook County jail after being picked up in Palatine earlier this week. Schuler is held in Lake County jail after she was arrested Wednesday.

Finlon said the two would park in a busy retail parking lot and wait for women to enter the establishments and leave their purses inside their cars.

Schuler would first try to open the door before smashing the window of the vehicle and grabbing the purse from the front seat, police said.

The two would then drive to a nearby retail store and use any credit cards found inside the purse to purchase gift cards, Finlon said. Those gift cards would later be sold for cash or traded for heroin, he said.

In February, detectives from several area police agencies formed a multijurisdictional task force to investigate numerous car burglaries in the area, Finlon said. Those detectives identified suspects who could be involved in the smash-and-grab scheme, and they were followed for a week.

"It just goes to show that when different departments work together like this, these crimes can be solved," he said. "It's also a reminder that people should keep items concealed in their cars, especially purses and electronic items like phones and GPS devices."

He said about 50 motor vehicle burglaries were solved in various communities in the Chicago area, including Palatine, Highland Park, Barrington, Deerfield, Elk Grove Village and Lake Zurich.

"We had three in Lake Zurich, but there are a lot of other towns out there still pulling information that can be linked to this," Finlon said.

Additional charges are expected against the two, he said. A third suspect is also being investigated.