By Stephanie Irvine
An unidentified criminal duo that ripped off Manhattan’s Whitmore Ace Hardware store was no match for a vigilant Manhattanite with a penchant for perusing social media.
In a show of community policing, the Village of Manhattan Police Department’s Facebook page asked for the public’s help to identify two people who walked out of the hardware store with more than $3,000 in stolen merchandise.
“Manhattan, we need your help!” the Facebook post stated.
“We have all watched true crime television or some kind of police show. Now we’re going to test your skills! Look closely at these pictures, very close…Now, if you recognize them, tag them as quick as you can! (or call us)” the post read, providing more information about the crime.
Chief Ryan Gulli manages the small department’s social media and tries to inject humor when he can to draw attention to the page and involve the community.
Ace had fairly clear security footage of the male and female leaving the store with a cart full of goods, which Gulli included in the post.
It wasn’t long before a Manhattan resident dining at McDonald’s recognized the pair from the post and called 911. When officers arrived, they found the man and woman matching the description sitting in a booth wearing the same clothes they had worn when the theft occurred at 8 a.m.
The pair, Jessica Schubbe, 43, last known address of record in Manteno, and Randall O. Cadieux, 55, with addresses in Bolingbrook and Manhattan, were quickly taken into custody without incident and now face felony charges, according to MPD.
Ace Store Manager Scott Kashin was not able to comment but did confirm it was a simple theft. The pair walked out with a cart full of items without paying, and the staff did not appear to be in danger.
The pair walked around the store, loitered a bit, and exited separately, which drew the attention of employees, who thought the behavior was odd, according to the report narrative.
The police report also included a list of the stolen items, mostly expensive tools over $100 each, from paint sprayers to impact wrenches and more. The exact total of the stolen merchandise was $3,029.82, which triggered the felonious theft charges.
Officers canvassed the area, but it was the tip from the 911 caller who recognized the pair that led to their apprehension.
Once the pair was in custody, the officers learned they had been staying at a residence on Park Street. The pair brought the officer to the house, where boxes matching the stolen items were found in a bedroom closet. The officer had Cadieux carry the items to the trunk of the squad car to be returned to the store after being logged as evidence.
MPD reported that Ace recovered most of the stolen items, but not all of them — the merchandise returned from the closet only totaled $1,369.91.
Cadieux invoked his right to remain silent.
Schubbe made a statement after being advised of her Miranda rights. She explained she had faced hardships and homelessness, and she was deeply remorseful for her actions.
“I went into the store to take a few things. I’m not a shoplifter. I’m really sorry to the man who helped me,” her statement read in part.
The pair were charged, photographed, fingerprinted, and released. Their case will be heard at the Will County Courthouse at the end of November. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“Thank you to the community for their cooperation and support in making Manhattan a great place to live. They helped us out big time,” Gulli said.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.