What started as a small-time shoplifting complaint turned into something a bit more intriguing at a grocery store in Lakeview. According to police and prosecutors, the accused man was carrying a host of stolen credit cards and fake IDs along with a lock pick set.
Jacob Mallander, 29, already had a theft case pending when cops arrested him at Mariano’s, 3030 North Broadway, shortly before closing time on June 4. Prosecutors said Mallander dropped bags containing $203 worth of merchandise when a loss prevention officer confronted him. But the guard managed to flag down a passing squad car to arrest Mallander.
As police were processing Mallander’s arrest, he gave them a California driver’s license with his picture and the name “Jacob Michaels” on it, prosecutors said. Cops ran the driver’s license number. It came back to a guy named Tucker Smith.
When police confronted Mallander with the discrepancy, he admitted the ID was fraudulent and gave them his real name and birth day, according to the allegations.
Cops searched his wallet, allegedly finding debit and credit cards issued in the names of six people, a second fraudulent license, and a Tennessee license belonging to another man. Police also recovered the lock pick set, a pry tool, and a leatherman tool, according to CPD records.
Prosecutors charged Mallander with possessing a fraudulent ID card, unlawful possession of more than three credit or debit cards, retail theft, and seven counts of theft of lost or mislaid property.
Judge David Navarro set bail at $5,000, meaning Mallander must post a $500 deposit bond to get out of jail on the charges. He also held Mallander without bail for violating the terms of bond in a pending felony theft case.
In that matter, Mallender is accused of stealing a couch from an Edgewater apartment building’s recreation room in February 2020. Prosecutors said he also took a clock and a drill that belonged to the apartment building’s management company.