Two Glendale Heights Residents Arrested in Connection With Theft Of Nearly $8,000 from 87 Year Old Naperville Man

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and Sheriff John Zaruba announced that two people from Glendale Heights have been charged in connection with the theft of nearly $8,000 from an 87 year old Naperville man. Ruby Yannis, 62 (d.o.b. 10/08/42) and Eric Vincent, 33 (d.o.b. 4/05/71) of 1255 Pearl Avenue in Glendale Heights were charged with Aggravated Financial Identity Theft, Violation of Credit Card & Debit Card Act, and Unlawful Use of a Debit Card. The two were taken into custody early this morning at their Glendale Heights home. They are expected to appear in bond court later this afternoon.

In mid November, several unusual transactions were noticed on the bank account statement for a joint account shared by the victim with his son and daughter-in-law. The DuPage County Sheriff’s Office was immediately contacted and an investigation was opened. During the course of the investigation it was learned that the defendants came in contact with the 87 year old Naperville man when they solicited him to seal-coat his driveway in early October. Between October 8, 2004 and November 9, 2004, numerous debit transactions were made and checks were written from the victim’s bank account. The investigation revealed that none of the goods purchased in these transactions were in the victim’s possession and that the unauthorized transactions were allegedly made by defendants Yannis and Vincent. Charges were authorized by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office and the two were arrested this morning.

The charges against the defendants are as follows:

• Aggravated Financial Identity Theft (Class 3 felony)
• Violation of Credit Card & Debit Card Act (Class 4 felony)
• Unlawful Use of a Debit Card (Class 3 felony)

The defendants face penalties of 2 to 5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections if they are found guilty of the Class 3 felonies. The Class 4 felony, Violation of the Credit & Debit Card Act, is punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison. These offenses are probationable.

"Financial crimes against the elderly are despicable," commented State’s Attorney Birkett. "These two are alleged to have taken advantage of this man, going so far as dragging him into a bank before a teller who refused to cash a check unless the victim was present. I intend to see that this victim gets justice for these reprehensible acts."

State’s Attorney Birkett praised the efforts of the detectives of the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Bob Berlin and Charles Ogan for their thorough investigation into this case.

"I am very proud of all of my detectives who have spent countless hours this past month investigating this case," Sheriff Zaruba stated. "Thanks to their dedication and tireless efforts, two individuals who chose to prey on an elderly citizen of this county have been apprehended."

Members of the public are reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not proof of a defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.