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A Chicago man is in custody after a long investigation into a string of pickpocketing crimes.
Police say 61-year-old Jerome T. Quick targeted elderly shoppers at various Evanston grocery stores.
The investigation lasted seven months before authorities finally made an arrest on February 5.
Detectives began looking into the case after several seniors reported their wallets missing while shopping.
In each instance, the victims’ credit cards were used almost immediately for fraudulent purchases.
The suspect reportedly used the stolen cards to buy gift cards or withdraw cash at nearby retailers.
Evanston police noticed a consistent pattern in how the crimes were carried out.
Surveillance video from multiple locations showed a 2018 Nissan Versa linked to Quick.
The vehicle was spotted near the grocery stores where the thefts occurred.
Cameras also captured the same vehicle at the stores where the stolen credit cards were used.
The Evanston Police Department’s Special Operations Group assisted in taking Quick into custody.
Quick now faces seven felony counts of aggravated identity theft.
He is also charged with one felony count of theft from a person.
He is currently being held pending his next court appearance on March 19.
The hearing will take place at the Skokie Courthouse.
Recent History
Evanston has seen a rise in “distraction thefts” targeting the elderly over the last year.
In early January, local authorities were forced to issue a community alert due to the frequency of these crimes.
Similar incidents were reported in neighboring Skokie and Wilmette, suggesting an organized effort to target North Shore shoppers.
Historically, grocery stores have been prime spots for pickpockets because shoppers often leave purses unattended in carts.
This arrest follows a 2025 initiative by Evanston police to increase patrols near retail corridors during peak senior shopping hours.
Community leaders are once again urging residents to keep their bags zipped and stay aware of their surroundings.
