Trio accused of stealing diabetic test strips

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Updated: February 21, 2012 8:39AM

BOLINGBROOK — Police say three people from Michigan stole diabetic testing strips from a big-box retailer in three states before their arrests Wednesday.

“They hit every Meijer their GPS could find from St. Joseph, Mich., through Indiana, into Illinois,” Lt. Mike Rompa said.

Police were called at 6:15 p.m. to 225 N. Weber Road where a van was leaving the parking lot.

Rompa said the van had been involved in a retail theft about 15 minutes earlier at the Meijer at 755 E. Boughton Road.

“An officer located the van on Boughton Road and stopped it for a (missing) taillight and the fact it had been reported as being involved in an earlier theft,” Rompa said.

Driver Kate A. Crandall, 19, and her passengers, Matthew A. Jordan, 22, and Dalton J. McLain, 18, were later identified as the three shoplifters by store security guards, Rompa said.

After questioning the suspects, police allegedly found a Meijer basket in the van that contained $2,600 worth of diabetic test strips, three small plastic baggies of cannabis and hypodermic needles.

“(Officers) also found numerous Michigan ID cards and detailed information about the thefts, including Meijer store maps of locations in Merrillville, Ind.; Orland Park; and Bolingbrook,” Rompa said.

Orland Park investigators said the trio stole approximately $1,000 worth of diabetic test strips from the Meijer at 15701 S. 71st Court earlier Wednesday afternoon.

Diabetic test strips have become a popular target for thieves because of their high cost. A box of 50 to 100 can cost $60 to $100. The price is steep for uninsured diabetics, some of whom resort to paying discounted price for them on the black market.

All three suspects were booked into Will County jail.

Crandall, of St. Joseph, Mich., was charged with shoplifting, possession of stolen property, driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured vehicle. McLain, also of St. Joseph, Mich., was charged with shoplifting and possession of stolen property.

Jordan, of Baroda, Mich., was charged with shoplifting, possession of stolen property and cannabis possession.