Man Accused Of Stealing Over $800 In Liquor From Mariano's In Lombard

LOMBARD, IL — A Chicago man is accused of stealing more than $870 worth of alcohol from a Mariano's in Lombard while he was on pre-trial release after police say he stole 26 bottles of liquor from a Jewel in Elmhurst in March.

Michael Howard, 43, was charged with burglary, retail theft, fleeing and eluding a police officer and resisting or obstructing a police officer in connection with the April 17 incident in Lombard.

Police were called to the Mariano's at 345 W. Roosevelt Rd. around 7:40 p.m. for a report of a retail theft. When they got to the scene, police say they found Howard trying to drive out of the store's parking lot and tried to pull him over.

Howard is accused of refusing to pull over, which resulted in a police pursuit that ended when police used spike strips to disable Howard's car in Oak Brook. Police say Howard refused to get out of his car and resisted when a police officer tried to remove him from the car.

Officers reported that Howard had a bottle of liquor in his pants and 18 additional bottles of alcohol in the car.

“It is alleged that Mr. Howard, who is currently on pre-trial release for stealing alcohol from a DuPage County grocery store, thumbed his nose at the law and again stole alcohol from a DuPage County grocery store,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert said in a statement.

He added, “To further aggravate the matter, it is alleged that Mr. Howard once again ignored the law and attempted to flee from law enforcement, putting the motoring public at risk. Thankfully, no innocent motorists or pedestrians were injured or killed as a result of Mr. Howard’s alleged actions. The successful apprehension of the defendant in this case sends the message that if you come to DuPage County to steal or otherwise break the law, you will be arrested, charged and prosecuted."

Howard is set to appear in court on April 29.