Over $10K In Tools Stolen From Home Depots In Western Suburbs

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — Four men face felony charges following a string of retail thefts at Home Depot stores in Downers Grove, Woodridge and Carol Stream. Police say the men stole thousands of dollars in tools and other items during the incidents, which took place between late February and April 14.

Criztobal Alvarez-Olivera, 31, and Marcos Alvarez-Olivera, 29, both of Chicago, and David Flores, 41, and Rafael Felix, 33, both of Cicero, were charged with burglary and retail theft. Alvarez-Oliver was additionally charged with resisting a police officer.

Prosecutors say Flores and Criztobal Alvarez-Olivera came into the Home Depot at 2000 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove, around 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 28. They are accused of stealing a portable Dewalt car charger and a Chamberlin garage door opener totaling $698.

Flores and Criztobal Alvarez-Olivera are then accused of going to the Home Depot at 475 S. Schmale Rd., Carol Stream on March 31. They are accused of stealing two Milwaukee multi-tools and two Dewalt air compressors, valued at $676 total.

According to prosecutors, Flores and Alvarez-Olivera were joined by Marcos Criztobal and Rafael Felix in an April 14 retail theft at the Home Depot at 7200 Woodward Ave., Woodridge. Police say the four men came to the store just after 11 a.m. and stole power tools valued at $4,482 before fleeing the scene.

The four men are then accused of going to the Home Depot on Schmale Road in Carol Stream and stealing $6,638 worth of power tools. They were arrested later that day after an investigation, a news release said.

“The apprehension of the four defendants in this case sends a crystal-clear message to would-be thieves that if you come to DuPage County to steal, you will be arrested, charged and prosecuted,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

Berlin added, “Our law enforcement agencies are well-prepared and ready to work together to stop those who would victimize our retail establishments. As I previously said, retail theft results in lost profits for business owners, lost wages for employees, higher prices for consumers and lost economic investment in our communities."

The four men are set to appear in court May 12.