Employee Punched During iPhone Theft In Glendale Heights: Police

GLENDALE HEIGHTS, IL — Six people have been charged in an incident in which iPhones were stolen from a Target store in Glendale Heights.

Aaren Verrett, 41, of Chicago, Matthew Martin, 20, of Indiana, Dante Smith, 21, of Chicago, and Terrance Knight, Jr., 18, of Chicago, have been charged with retail theft and burglary in connection with the Dec. 4 incident. Two juveniles have also been charged. Martin was additionally charged with aggravated battery after police say he punched a Target employee.

Police say that on Dec. 4 they were called to the Target at 175 W. Army Trail Rd. for a report that someone had hit an employee and was trying to steal from the store. According to police, Verrett stayed parked in a car outside while the other five defendants went into the store.

The other defendants are accused of going to the electronics department and using a wire cutter to remove iPhones from a display, triggering an alarm.

Police say the defendants were confronted by an employee, whom Martin punched in the face. The defendants then fled in a car driven by Verrett, according to police.

Police pulled Verrett over shortly after and took all six defendants into custody.

“It is alleged that these six defendants traveled to DuPage County intent on committing a crime,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a news release. “During this holiday shopping season law enforcement in DuPage County will be on high-alert to protect not only shoppers, but retail workers as well who are putting their health in jeopardy simply by working during the pandemic