No Lifetime Ban For Man Accused Of Taking Food Worth $13: Jewel

ORLAND PARK, IL — A man who police in Orland Park say took one food item worth $13.18 out of the Jewel-Osco store at 9350 W. 159th St. and immediately placed it on the bench outside the store before walking to another store in the area has been charged with retail theft.

A loss prevention agent told police the man, a 26-year-old, hid the food item underneath his sweatshirt before leaving the store and placing the item on the bench outside the store before heading over to Babies 'R Us, where police found and arrested the man.

He admitted to taking the item out of the store but immediately left it behind, police said.

Police said in a report that the store's loss prevention agent had requested to sign complaints and that the man be banned for life from the store. Police said they informed the man of the lifetime ban, but now a Jewel-Osco official says the lifetime ban had not been issued.

"Jewel-Osco did not issue a lifetime ban to the customer involved in this incident," Mary Frances Trucco, director of public affairs and government relations for the company, said.

Police said they took the man into custody instead of issuing him a citation and later court date because he had nine prior arrests.