Pickpockets loading up on gift cards, CPD says

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A new twist on an old crime: pickpocketing. Chicago police warn residents that criminals are using stolen credit and debit cards to stock up on gift cards.

"They realize time is of the essence, so when they get their fingers on a stolen credit card, the first thing they want to do is run out and get as many gift cards as possible," Chicago Police Sgt. John Lucki said. Sgt. Lucki is the commanding officer for CPD's the financial crimes unit.

After stocking up on gift cards, now readily available at drug and department stores, they ditch stolen cards to try to separate themselves from the crime.

Melissa Maguire's wallet was stolen at a busy downtown restaurant. Christine Dunbar, 27, and Donnel Jamison, 54, are charged in the theft.

"When lunch was done, I got up and picked up my purse and noticed my wallet was gone," Maguire said. "I put the purse on the back of my chair. . . and I thought I was protecting my purse by putting my coat over my purse."

Instead, that gave the offender a better chance at not getting caught.

Within minutes, Maguire's debit card was used to purchase $2,500 worth of gift cards at a Loop Target.

"The retailer had been hit so many times the security personnel recognized these individuals from another case a few days earlier and flagged down a couple of our officers," Sgt. Lucki said.

Police said Dunbar and Jamison had property belonging to various victims with them and both knowingly used stolen cards. They are both charged with one felony count of identity theft.

Jamison, also known as "Robert Moon", remains in police custody. His sister defended him from his South Side home. When asked if she believed he was guilty, she said, "No, I don't."

Dunbar's family in northwest suburban Bartlett said she is unreachable and had no further comment.

Chicago police are reminding residents to zip up their purses and remain alert, especially in busy, crowded areas. Check to make sure no one is following you, never leave items unattended, and keep a list of credit and debit card names and phone numbers handy so you can quickly deactivate accounts, police said.

"The store manager said he was following me from when I bought my food to where I sat down. He knew I didn't zip my purse," Maguire said.

Maguire got the $2500 back quickly when the charge was reversed on her Chase debit card. But not all debit cards are the same. Some victims have to wait several days for a bank to complete an investigation, which can leave an account with a negative balance.

Police in Park Ridge said they are investigating a single scheme in that suburb.