Target Shoplifter With Stolen Van Must Be Returned To Will County's Jail: Prosecutors

ROCKDALE, IL — A 39-year-old Rockdale man who spent two days in the Will County Jail in late September, only to regain his freedom because crimes of possessing a stolen vehicle and shoplifting are not detainable under the SAFE-T-Act, is now on the verge of going back to jail and perhaps for a very long time.

Joliet Patch previously brought you an exclusive story about the arrests of John Planinsek and his co-defendant Kattie Jean Palmer, who comes from Godley and goes by the name of Kattie Ryle. Joliet police said they captured them following two consecutive days of major shoplifting crimes at the Target store on Plainfield Road.

According to their criminal complaint, Planinsek was in possession of a stolen Ford Cargo van. He's also charged with burglary. He and Palmer are each charged with retail theft of alcohol and electronic items that had a value of greater than $300.

As for Palmer, she faces two counts of unlawful possession of controlled substances because at the time of her arrest at the Target property, she unlawfully possessed Xanax and Clonazepam, court records show.

On Wednesday, at the Will County Courthouse, Will County Judge John Pavich signed an order authorizing a bench warrant for the Rockdale man and "the amount of bail is $0.00. No Bond." The judge issued the warrant because Planinsek failed to show up for his court hearing in connection with the Target shoplifting crimes and the possession of a stolen vehicle charge.

Now, it's only a matter of time before the Rockdale police can capture Planinsek and return him to the Will County Jail.

Earlier this month, Joliet Patch reported that on Sept. 24, Joliet police officers learned that on Planinsek was suspected of placing over $2,000 worth of merchandise in a cart and leaving the store without paying for the merchandise the previous day, Sept. 23.

While the officers were taking the report for the previous theft, they learned that Planinsek and Ryle were back in the store, again, on Sept. 24. Both were spotted on surveillance video placing over $1,000 worth of merchandise in their cart, Joliet police pointed out.

As for Planinsek, he exited through an emergency exit of the store with the cart and ran from the officers, refusing orders to stop, leaving the cart behind. He continued to run and was later located hiding in an area of brush behind the store and placed into custody, the police advised.