Posted on 03/09/2024 2:18:01 PM PST by george76
CHICAGO — An 18-time convicted felon on probation for being part of the “Puffy Coat Bandit” theft ring was arrested Sunday after he committed the exact same crime that he’s on probation for, according to prosecutors: stealing a man’s credit cards and using them almost immediately to buy things at Target.
During an initial appearance this week, Judge Susana Ortiz released Jerome Sharp, 30, with a nighttime curfew. He was not detained for violating probation.
One year ago, the “Puffy Coat Bandits” were the talk of the town as they slithered through restaurants in their bulky winter coats, stealing phones, wallets, and purses from unsuspecting diners. The victims’ credit cards were maxed out before they had time to notify their banks, often at Target stores in the South Loop and the Near North Side, according to Chicago police reports.
The story made the news as restaurant workers claimed Chicago cops weren’t doing anything about the crimes. In fact, CPD had an active investigation going on for weeks. They even won assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service after the puffy coat guys stole the wallet and work credentials from a federal judge’s law clerk.
Sharp, 30, and James Wilkins, 29, were soon arrested. Sharp entered guilty pleas to three felonies in October, including identity theft and theft, according to court records. Judge Ursula Walowski gave him two years of probation.
Now, barely four months later, prosecutors say Sharp did the same thing again.
Around 2 p.m. Sunday, he “participated in the theft” of a 20-year-old man’s phone and credit cards from a coffee shop in the 900 block of West Van Buren, according to his latest CPD arrest report.
The report said the victim’s credit cards were quickly used in “multiple” fraudulent transactions at various locations. Cops caught up with Sharp at the Target store, 1200 North Larrabee, about 45 minutes after the theft.
According to CPD’s inventory records, cops recovered a woman’s checkbook, gift cards, unopened PlayStations, 15 MasterCard gift cards, and an Apple Watch still in its case during his arrest.
Court records show the court’s probation department filed a probation violation notice with Judge Walowski last month. The matter is scheduled to be reviewed during a hearing scheduled for next week.
Sharp’s previous felony convictions include:
Cook county judge. Another dim cesspool.
18
He made it to 18 known crimes.
Not his age but Alice Cooper song may apply to him.
Eighteen
Lines form on my face and hands
Lines form from the ups and downs
I’m in the middle without any plans
I’m a boy and I’m a man
I’m eighteen
And I don’t know what I want
Eighteen
I gotta get away
I gotta get out of this place
I’ll go runnin’ in outer space
Oh yeah
I got a
Baby’s brain and an old man’s heart
Took eighteen years to get this far
Don’t always know what I’m talkin’ about
Feels like I’m livin’ in the middle of doubt
‘Cause I’m
Eighteen
I get confused every day
Eighteen
I just don’t know what to say
Eighteen
I gotta get away
Eighteen
Eighteen
Eighteen
Judge: 18 times I shook my finger in your face from my bench and now you let me down again. It’s just lucky for you I’m a good sport.
One has to ponder if he’s doing this for the publicity and reputation?
When you know you’re not going to be punished for whatever crimes of theft you commit, what deterrent is there to get you to stop?
Couldn’t happen with a functioning three-strikes law.
In the grim story this is almost (almost) humorous:
“....restaurant workers claimed Chicago cops weren’t doing anything about the crimes. In fact, CPD had an active investigation going on for weeks. They even won assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service after the puffy coat guys stole the wallet and work credentials from a federal judge’s law clerk.”
Marshals are going to continue their search as soon as the digitized evidence on their laptop is found. Stolen from the police car. (kidding)
18 strikes and you’re out?
Photo....
Suspect: That oval shot is the one I want for the wallet sized and an 8 by 10 for my mom. She prefers a framed photo at home rather than just the phone pictures. She’s sentimental. Puts me between Dr. King and JFK. Kinda makes me sentimental, too.
LOL! good one.
RE: 18 strikes and you’re out?
Not in bowling. 🎳🎳
Awesome. I’m still laughing.
Based on recent FBI profiling, I expected very pretty and well dressed white women. Color me surprised.
My humble thanks.
Thank you very much.
18 strikes and you’re on double probation.
EC
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