Chicago police say man who allegedly tried to steal champagne arrested for 63rd time

Associated Press

Last update: November 10, 2009 - 6:58 PM

CHICAGO - Chicago police said a West Side man who allegedly tried to walk out of a store with three expensive bottles of champagne under his jacket now has 63 arrests under his belt. Officers said the 70-year-old man was initially charged with misdemeanor retail theft, but the charge was upgraded to a felony Monday after authorities look over his extensive police record, which included 62 prior arrests.

Chicago Police News Affairs Officer Michael Fitzpatrick said the man was arrested late Sunday afternoon after allegedly swiping champagne from a Lake View neighborhood Whole Foods store. Fitzpatrick said the suspect has used at least 50 aliases over the years.

The champagne was valued at $135.

___

Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, http://www.suntimes.com/index

Recent Nation stories

Education for brightest students struggles without backing of federal government, report says - November 10, 2009

Education for brightest students struggles without backing of federal government, report says - When Liz Fitzgerald realized her son and daughter were forced to read books in math class while the other children caught up, she had them moved into gifted classes at their suburban Atlanta elementary school. More