Burglar caught with $30K worth of eyeglasses just 4 days after being arrested for shoplifting: prosecutors

Melvin Kirk (Chicago Police Department, Multiplottr)

CHICAGO — Prosecutors have charged a man with burglarizing a downtown LensCrafters just four days after he was released to await trial on shoplifting charges.

Chicago cops responded to a burglary in progress at the 205 North Michigan store around 3:15 a.m. on Monday, a CPD report said. They found the store’s front door smashed and a piece of concrete lying on the floor.

The store’s security service told officers that the burglar was still inside the store and was taking merchandise out the back door, the report stated.

Cops found Melvin Kirk, 45, pushing a cart with about ten bags of eyeglasses behind the store, according to the allegations. Kirk’s arrest report estimated the glasses were worth $30,000.

Judge Antara Rivera released him on an ankle monitor. He’s charged with burglary.

Just four days earlier, around 2 p.m. on October 23, cops arrested Kirk at Target, 2656 North Elston, after store employees accused him of removing security wires and trying to steal two remotes, a second CPD report said.

He was sent home without restrictions the next day.

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CWBChicago was created in 2013 by five residents of Wrigleyville and Boystown who had grown disheartened with inaccurate information that was being provided at local Community Policing (CAPS) meetings. Our coverage area has expanded since then to cover Lincoln Park, River North, The Loop, Uptown, and other North Side Areas. But our mission remains unchanged: To provide original public safety reporting with better context and greater detail than mainstream media outlets. Our editorial email address is [email protected]