A man and a woman are suspected of burglarizing businesses on the North Side between February and March, crimes about which Chicago police issued a community advisory on Valentine’s Day. According to records, the woman already has an arrest warrant because she failed to appear in court.
According to arrest files, cops detained Alyssa Degaetano, 19, and James Liberty, 40, after witnessing them exit a CVS store after business hours in the 4000 block of North Lincoln. According to the complaint, they both acknowledged entering the store through the back door and stealing $100 from the cash register. However, they have not been charged with any crime in relation to that occurrence.
However, they are suspected of collaborating on six other nocturnal commercial burglaries. According to CPD, the criminal pattern featured a man and a woman kicking down rear doors or prying open rear doors with a hammer to gain access to businesses and steal safes, deposit bags, register cash, and alcohol.
Prosecutors say the couple broke into Vosges Chocolate, 2950 North Oakley, on February 2 and stole six computers, an iPad, and other gadgets. They are also accused of burglarizing Biznago, 3555 North Broadway, on February 27 and stealing jewelry and cash.
According to court papers, they were also charged with burglarizing Shuba’s Tavern at 3159 North Southport on March 13, Taco Max Cantina at 2808 North Halsted on March 12, Pho’s Thai Cuisine at 3332 North Lincoln on March 23, and an unidentified company in the 900 block of West Fullerton on March 12.
Degaetano is charged with six counts of burglary. Liberty, who was also accused of burglarizing Nashville Hot Chicken at 2431 North Western Avenue on February 10, faces seven counts.
According to court documents, Judge Susana Ortiz released Liberty with an ankle monitor. Degaetano, who was not placed on electronic monitoring, has not appeared in court since being charged.
