Bail Revoked For Man Accused Of Swiping Power Tools From Menard's

CRESTWOOD, IL — An Orland Park man lifted power tools at Menard’s stores in Hodgkins and Crestwood, prosecutors said. Brian Fox, 39, appeared Tuesday before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on felony charges of retail theft. Fox’s bail was revoked for two pending cases of forgery and theft. He has an extensive criminal background, according to court records.

After noticing that two drills were missing from the shelves at the Hodgkins Menard’s store, loss prevention officers reviewed security video. A man was observed on video putting drills into his cart valued at $1,198 and pushing the cart out of the store on Jan. 2. The prosecutor said police tied the retail theft to Fox after obtaining a slip with his name and address on it from E-Z Pawn, where he had pawned the drills. Fox was identified in a photo array, police said.

Fox is believed to have gone to the Crestwood Menard’s on Jan. 13, where he was recognized by an employee from a security bulletin circulated to area Menard’s stores. The prosecutor said Fox could be seen on security cameras loading two framing loaders and two SDS max hammers valued at $1,826 into a cart. By the time police arrived, the prosecutor said that Fox had already fled. The prosecutor said a loss prevention officer identified Fox in a photo array.

“He’s loyal to the company,” Felice said.

While conducting license plate checks at an Alsip motel, officers said they came across Fox’s car in the parking lot. The prosecutor said police were able to recover one of the stolen nailer’s from Fox’s room He was arrested and charged on Jan. 20.

Fox has a pending case for cashing checks stolen from a credit union. He also has convictions for possession of a controlled substance and retail, for which he was sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections, the prosecutor said.

The assistant public defender told the judge that Fox occasionally works as a plumber and is a 1999 graduate of Brother Rice High School.

“Drugs may be a problem,” the assistant public defender said.

Bail was set at $100,000 each for the new retail theft cases. Fox is to remain on electronic monitoring should if bonds out. Fox’s next court date is Feb. 13 in Bridgeview.

“It’s obvious this man has no regard for the law,” Felice said.