A Chicago man is accused of shoplifting multiple times after being released after Illinois eliminated cash bail.
Authorities charged James Tolbert, 43, with a felony in August because he was out on bond for another felony shoplifting case, CWB Chicago reported. report Wednesday.
A serial shoplifter released from prison thanks to the SAFE-T law is back on the job, stealing from Sunglass Hut and Ulta Beauty stores downtown more than a dozen times, officials said.https://t.co/c5BxrkhVdo
— CWB Chicago (@CWBChicago) February 22, 2024
At the time, the man was unable to post $1,600 in bail to be released with an ankle monitoring device. But a few weeks later, the state abolished cash bail and the suspects were allowed to return home under conditions set by Judge Kenneth Wadas: They must remain at home between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
Since then, Tolbert has been accused of shoplifting or robbing two stores in the Loop and on the famed Magnificent Mile 12 times. He is currently in prison.
According to Breitbart News, Illinois abolished cash bail in September, a move that drew significant criticism.
Meanwhile, social media users shared their opinions on CWB Chicago’s reporting. write“Didn’t he learn his lesson? Apparently the voters haven’t either.”
Prosecutors charged Tolbert with shoplifting from an Ulta Beauty store on Michigan Avenue on July 15. Judge William Fahey released the man on his own recognizance, but he failed to show up for his court date and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
The CWB Chicago article continued:
On August 10th, the long hand of the law caught up with him. Prosecutors said he shoplifted from the same Ulta location. They said he came in, grabbed the basket, went directly to Fragrance, filled the basket with water and left.
Charged with felony retail theft and operating a continuing financial crimes enterprise, Judge Susana Ortiz ordered him held on $600 bail under electronic monitoring in the July shoplifting case. The judge ordered him to pay an additional $1,000 bond. He was unable to collect the money.
Cash bail was soon abolished across the state, and Mr. Tolbert was released without monetary conditions, but he was ordered to stay at home for a specified amount of time.
However, Tolbert was arrested at Macy’s on February 8 after he allegedly left the store with several pairs of sunglasses worth more than $2,000.
Shortly after, he allegedly kicked the loss prevention officer outside in the street, knocking her down. However, the woman’s partner was able to handcuff the suspect while they waited for police to arrive and take control.
Authorities reportedly found a metal knuckle connected to a switchblade on Tolbert’s body, as well as a credit card that did not belong to Tolbert. Authorities eventually charged him with several charges against him.
The CWB Chicago report also noted that Tolbert was accused of shoplifting from multiple Sunglass Hut stores in January.
“In court on February 9, Judge Ankur Srivastava decided to release Mr. Tolbert on the new charge with a curfew from 5pm to 5am. Mr. Tolbert was remanded in custody for violating his prior release until the judge in charge of the matter considers the new motion. Mr. Tolbert is scheduled to appear in court again today,” the paper said.
Will County State’s Attorney Jim Glasgow (D) previously criticized Illinois’ cashless bail law, calling it “destroying Illinois,” Breitbart News reported in September.
