61-Year-Old Man Charged in Evanston Pickpocketing Scheme

Authorities say Jerome Quick targeted elderly victims at local grocery stores over 7 months.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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A 61-year-old Chicago man has been charged with felonies related to an organized pickpocketing operation that targeted elderly victims at grocery stores in Evanston, Illinois over the past 7 months. Police say Jerome Quick would steal victims' wallets and then use their credit cards to purchase gift cards or make cash withdrawals at nearby retailers.

Why it matters

Organized retail crime and pickpocketing schemes can have a significant impact on vulnerable populations like the elderly, leading to financial losses, identity theft, and a sense of violation. This case highlights the need for heightened security measures and community awareness to protect at-risk groups.

The details

According to the Evanston Police Department, investigators identified a recurring pattern of thefts over the past seven months where victims, usually at a grocery store, would have their wallets stolen and their credit cards used to purchase gift cards or make cash withdrawals at nearby retailers. Using offender descriptions, vehicle usage, and transaction behavior, authorities identified 61-year-old Jerome Quick as the primary suspect in the scheme.

  • Over the last seven months, authorities have been investigating the organized pickpocketing thefts in Evanston.
  • The incidents typically occurred at grocery stores in the Evanston area.

The players

Jerome Quick

A 61-year-old Chicago resident who was identified as the primary suspect in the organized pickpocketing scheme targeting elderly victims at Evanston grocery stores.

Evanston Police Department

The law enforcement agency that investigated the series of pickpocketing thefts and identified Jerome Quick as the main perpetrator.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the need for heightened security measures, community awareness, and protections for vulnerable populations like the elderly to prevent organized retail crime and pickpocketing schemes that can have devastating financial and emotional impacts on victims.