A man in Chicago has been accused of numerous shoplifting incidents since Illinois eliminated cash bail.
James Tolbert was first charged with felony shoplifting in July and released without bail.
In August he was charged again but could not pay the $1,600 bail and remained in custody.
A serial shoplifter who got released from jail thanks to the SAFE-T Act resumed his work, stealing from Sunglass Hut and Ulta Beauty locations downtown a dozen times, officials say.https://t.co/c5BxrkhVdo
— CWBChicago (@CWBChicago) February 22, 2024
However, when Illinois eliminated cash bail in September, he was released with a curfew.
Since then, Tolbert has been accused of shoplifting or robbery from stores in downtown Chicago at least 12 times.
“In court on February 9, Judge Ankur Srivastava decided that Tolbert would be released with a 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew on the new charges. But he detained Tolbert for violating pretrial release in the already-pending case until the judge handling that matter reviews the new allegations. Tolbert is due in court again today,” CWB Chicago reported.
In his most recent arrest, he allegedly stole sunglasses worth over $2,000 and assaulted a loss prevention officer.
Critics warn that Illinois’ elimination of cash bail puts public safety at risk by allowing repeat offenders to be released without any financial obligations.
