Arrest made in “flash mob” theft

by CYRYL JAKUBOWSKI

A woman was arrested after a "flash mob" stole more than $10,000 worth of merchandise from stores in the Lincolnwood Town Center, 3333 W. Touhy Ave., at about 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, according to Lincolnwood police.

Lincolnwood deputy police chief John Walsh said that at least 15 people were involved in the thefts. Walsh said that mall security was overwhelmed as the group stole merchandise from the Victoria’s Secret, Pink, Champs Sports and Room 21 stores.

Three or four cars were used in the theft, according to police. A Skokie police officer stopped a car on the Edens Expressway which was spotted with the driver throwing bags of clothes out the window, according to police. About $883 worth of merchandise was found in the car, and an employee of Victoria’s Secret identified the driver as being part of the group, police said.

The suspect, who was identified by police as Lashia Govan, age 18, of the 5300 block of South Justine Avenue, was charged with felony retail theft, police said.

Officers received a tip that a car that was used in the action had been spotted parked at the Lincolnwood Library, and $9,000 to $10,000 worth of clothing was found in the car, police said.