Best Buy Shoplifter Returns To Scene Of Crime On Mall Loop Drive: JPD

JOLIET — A 49-year-old man named William Howard, who drove all the way from Elwood to the Best Buy store near the Louis Joliet Mall, was arrested in recent days on felony theft charges.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, at 1 p.m. June 14, officers responded to Best Buy at 3351 Mall Loop Drive for a retail theft.

At the store, officers learned that a man had entered the store and removed a laptop from its packaging and exited the store without paying for the item. The laptop was valued at over $900.

Then, the next day on June 15, at 10:06 a.m., officers returned to Best Buy after it was reported that the same man who had committed the retail theft the day before was again inside the store.

Officers found the man in the store and identified him as Howard, English said.

According to police, officers identified Howard as the suspect of the retail theft of the laptop through video surveillance, and he indicated to Joliet police that he stole the laptop. Howard was placed into custody without incident.

William Howard was also released after receiving his notice to appear in court.