Glendale Heights cops nab woman charged with stealing car, ID

A Florida woman faces numerous charges after authorities said she assumed the identity of a Bloomington woman after being caught in Glendale Heights with a car reported stolen from a rental company.

Authorities said DuPage County Judge George Bakalis set bail at $75,000 Tuesday for Christine Agostinelli, 48, of Delray Beach. Agostinelli has been charged with one count of forgery, one count of identity theft and one count of possession of a stolen motor vehicle. She also faces one count of obstruction of justice.

Glendale Heights police said they pulled over a car for displaying a fraudulent registration plate around 8 p.m. Monday and the driver identified herself as the Bloomington woman.

Officers said they discovered the car was stolen from an Alamo Car Rental in Broward County, Florida, and while conducting a search of the vehicle found multiple IDs belonging to the Bloomington woman, eight wigs and two checks from different people made out to the Bloomington woman.

As their investigation continued, police said they discovered the driver was actually Agostinelli and that the real Bloomington woman had reported her car was burglarized several weeks ago and that her wallet and ID were taken.

"It is alleged that Ms. Agostinelli was not only in possession of a stolen car, but also that when questioned about the vehicle, she lied about her identity, an identity that we are alleging she stole from an innocent woman, in an effort to avoid arrest," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement.

Agostinelli's next court appearance is scheduled for July 16 in front of Judge Bakalis for arraignment.

Bakalis granted the state's motion for a proof of funds hearing at which Agostinelli must prove that any money used toward her bail was obtained lawfully.