May 10, 2005

Police seek help in identifying theft suspects

by Pete Rosenbery

four suspects

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale police are seeking the public's help in identifying four suspects sought in connection with theft, forgery, and unlawful use of credit cards late last month.

A Waterloo woman told police her wallet was lost or stolen while attending a meeting on Wednesday, April 27, at the Student Center. The woman realized her wallet was missing when she returned home. She told police the last time she remembers using her wallet was to retrieve change for parking meters across from the building. The wallet contained several credit cards, an ATM card, cash and personal identification, including her driver's license.

Video surveillance cameras show four suspects used the woman's credit card to make three separate purchases the evening of April 27, and another purchase at 12:52 a.m., April 28 at the Carbondale Wal-Mart Supercenter, 1450 E. Main St. The four purchases totaled approximately $98.

The suspects failed in two attempted ATM withdrawals at University Park residence halls on April 27, police said. They used the bank card April 27 at a BP gas station in Carbondale, and one time each at Shell stations on East Main Street and Walnut Street on April 28.

Police describe the first suspect as a large black male, wearing dark shoes, dark pants and a black-hooded coat. The second suspect is a black male with a brown zip-up hooded coat, wearing

glasses, a black shirt with white lettering on the chest, tan or yellowish gloves, and a white do-rag head covering.

The third suspect is a black male, tall and thin, wearing a button-up long sleeve striped shirt, blue jeans, white shoes and a white hat. The fourth suspect is a black male, wearing a blue pullover, red and white hat, gray pants, and white shoes with dark sides.

There is no indication the suspects are SIUC students. But the wallet was lost or stolen on campus, and the victim states she was only at the Student Center that day.

Anyone with information about the incident should call the SIUC Department of Public Safety at 618/453-2381 or the Crime Stopper Line at 618/549-COPS.