'Gypsy Burglars' Charged in Walmart Theft

Three Chicago men were charged with burglary and drug possession Tuesday following an attempted theft at the Walmart in New Lenox, police said.

Ace L. Frank, 19; Jason L. Frank, 34; and Richard Frank, 33, all of the 3200 block of Pierce Avenue in Chicago, were booked in Will County Jail on a slew of charges.

Deputy Chief Bob Pawlisz of the New Lenox Police Department said an officer was called to the New Lenox Walmart on Tuesday in response to suspects of a previous retail theft. 

About a week and a half ago, three men worked together to distract Walmart employees while stealing various items, including an Xbox video game system and several phones. 

"They came back yesterday and they were starting the same diversion tactics they use," Pawlisz said. "One of the employees recognized them from the previous incident."

Pawlisz said the men identified themselves as Gypsies, and he said law enforcement agencies track this method of distraction and dubbed it "gypsy burglaries." 

"They basically tell a very elaborate story and are very manipulative," Pawlisz said. 

When the call came in Tuesday, Pawlisz said it was easy to spot the men because of their large silver pickup truck with an orange strobe that had been identified from the previous theft. 

Pawlisz didn't know the relation of the three men.

In addition to retail theft, the men face other charges. Because of the felony nature of a ruse, they were also charged with burglary. 

Ace Frank was charged with possession of marijuana. Pawlisz said he had about 1 gram. He and Jason Frank were also charged with possession of a controlled substance after police found about 20 to 25 pills of hydrocodone. 

Police discovered that Richard Frank also had a warrant for his arrest out of Pennsylvania for theft by deception. 

The three men are being held in custody at Will County Jail and await a court date this afternoon for their bails to be set. 

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