DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Chief of Police Tom Wirsing announced that Judge George Ford granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for two California women accused of attempting to pay for merchandise at the Yorktown Shopping Center on the afternoon of Tuesday, December 19, 2023 with counterfeit twenty-dollar bills. Ashley Lucas, 29, and Siannah Hudson, 29, each appeared at First Appearance Court this morning charged with one count of Issue or Deliver a Forged Document, a Class 3 Felony.
On December 19, 2023, at approximately 1:48 p.m., Lombard police officers responded to a call of two females, later identified as Lucas and Hudson, who allegedly attempted to purchase merchandise with counterfeit twenty-dollar bills from two retail businesses located inside the Yorktown Shopping Center. Following an investigation into the matter, Lucas and Hudson allegedly attempted to purchase merchandise first at Zumiez and then at Claire’s using the phony currency, but were denied service when employees at both locations recognized the currency as counterfeit. Yorktown mall security followed the women when they exited the mall to their vehicle, a Honda Pilot SUV. Lombard police conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle at which time Lucas and Hudson were taken into custody without incident. During a search of the Honda, officers located a bag containing two hundred and fifty counterfeit twenty-dollar bills. Officers also allegedly found approximately fifteen to twenty receipts from cash transactions conducted at stores across Kansas, Missouri and Colorado.
“The detention of the defendants in this case sends the message that in DuPage County we are serious about protecting our businesses from suffering loss through any type of illegal activity be it burglary, theft or forgery, as alleged in this case. I commend the employees at both Zumiez and Claire’s for their keen attention to detail and Yorktown Mall Security for contacting the police when they suspected foul play. I thank the Lombard Police Department for not only their quick response and apprehension of the defendants in this case but also for their outstanding efforts throughout the entire holiday season to ensure the safety of our businesses and patrons alike. I also thank the Downers Grove Police Department and the United States Secret Service for their assistance as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Alexandria Levan and Michael Pingaj for their work in securing charges against Ms. Lucas and Ms. Hudson.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
“Thanks to the vigilance of both Yorktown Security and our officers, we were successful in apprehending these individuals. I applaud the Lombard officers who worked with the United States Secret Service to secure charges. We would like to also thank the Downers Grove Police Department and State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their assistance as well.”
— Lombard Chief of Police Tom Wirsing
The next court appearance for both defendants is scheduled for January 8, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
— DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office
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