DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Carol Stream Chief of Police William Holmer announced today that bond has been set for a Chicago couple accused of stealing more than $2 million worth of merchandise from a retail distribution company. German Ramirez-Mendoza, age 31, and Sara Garcia del Valle, age 35, both of the 6400 block of South Loomis Avenue in Chicago, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Brian Telander set bond for Ramirez-Mendoza at $1 million with 10% to apply in accordance with a previously issued arrest warrant and at $200,000 with 10% to apply for Garcia del Valle. Judge Telander also granted the State’s motion for a source of bail hearing at which the defendants must prove that any funds used for bond were not illegally obtained. Ramirez-Mendoza has been charged with four counts of Felony Theft, the most serious of which is Theft in Excess of $1 million, a Class X Felony. Garcia del Valle has been charged with two counts of Felony Theft, the most serious of which is Theft in Excess of $100,000 but less than $500,000, Class 1 Felony.
In August 2021, the Carol Stream Police Department began an investigation into a series of suspected high-value thefts from a warehouse owned and operated by Demar Logistics on Lies Road in Carol Stream. Through the course of their investigation, Carol Stream police officers focused on Ramirez-Mendoza, an employee at Demar Logistics, as a suspect in the thefts. In Early September 2021, officers with the Carol Stream Police Department were surveilling in the 6700 block of South Loomis Avenue, later determined to be Ramirez-Mendoza’s address, when they observed a vehicle exit an alley next to the residence. Officers followed the vehicle, which was driven by Ramirez-Mendoza, and performed a stop after observing a traffic violation. Inside the vehicle, officers allegedly found nearly $9,000 worth of fragrances stolen from the Demar Logistics warehouse. Further investigation led authorities to the recovery of approximately $2,157,827 worth of allegedly stolen merchandise located at Ramirez-Mendoza’s residence as well as seven storage units he and his wife had rented. Authorities also recovered more than $20,000 in cash at Ramirez-Mendoza’s residence. The merchandise allegedly stolen included items from Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle, Michael Kors Express, Sephora, Foot Locker and Old Navy, among others.
Allegedly, from approximately April 1, 2015, through September 2, 2021, Ramirez-Mendoza worked as a “spotter” for Demar Logistics. In this capacity, Ramirez-Mendoza’s duties included moving delivery trucks from the loading dock to the front of the warehouse where delivery drivers take the trucks to their destinations. It is alleged that on numerous occasions, when bringing a truck to the front of the warehouse, Ramirez-Mendoza would stop in the parking lot and unload merchandise from the truck into his personal vehicle before bringing the truck to its driver. On February 1, 2022, Judge Daniel Guerin issued a $1 million arrest warrant for Ramirez-Mendoza and a $250,000 arrest warrant for Garcia del Valle. Both defendants were taken into custody on February 3, 2022, without incident.
“According to the National Retail Federation, retail shrink losses average over $40 billion annually and have been consistently increasing. This cost not only places a tremendous hardship on the retailer which can lead to layoffs and lower wages, but also results in higher prices for consumers. White collar crimes are often difficult to detect as the accused usually has some knowledge of the business workings of their victim. I commend the Carol Stream Police Department for their outstanding efforts in identifying and apprehending the suspects in this case. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorney Steven Lupa for his work in securing strong charges against the defendants.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin
The next court appearance for both defendants is scheduled for February 22, 2022, for arraignment in front of Judge Brian Telander.
Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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