On 04/25/2024 at approximately 11:00 am, FHPD Officers responded to a retail establishment for a report of a theft. Officers obtained a description of the suspect and located him on the property and he was detained. The subject was identified as Gary L. Andrews, DOB: 02/02/1996, homeless. Officers learned Andrews had been concealing merchandise but the theft had been thwarted by Loss Prevention. Andrews was previously banned from the property and was charged with Trespassing. Andrews was cited and released per the SAFE-T Act Pre-Trial Release.
On the same day at approximately 8:00 pm, FHPD Officers responded to a retail theft at a different retail establishment. Officers encountered Andrews again and he was taken into custody for damaging merchandise he was attempting to conceal on his person. A wallet that contained personal identification was located on Andrews’ person and the owner was located. The owner of the wallet recalled being asked for money by a male at a gas station earlier in the evening and giving the male money. The victim described Andrews as the male that approached him. The victim discovered his credit card had been used at a local restaurant after his wallet was stolen. Officers had responded to the restaurant and discovered Andrews had used the victim’s stolen credit card.
FHPD Detectives obtained Felony Arrest Warrants issued by the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office against Andrews for the following offenses:
Unlawful Use of a Credit Card – Felony
Criminal Damage to Property – Felony
Theft of Mislaid Property – Felony
According to court documents, Andrews was released from custody on the new charges due to the Safe T Act Pre-Trial Release but was detained on a previous 2023 charge.
Required by the Illinois Supreme Court: “All subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”