Aurora alderman charged with second retail theft since 2013

An Aurora alderman was charged Sunday with her second retail theft in the west suburb since 2013.

Ald. Lynne M. Johnson (10th), 51, was charged with misdemeanor retail theft for allegedly stealing $55.21 worth of merchandise from the Meijer Store at 808 North Rte. 59 about 6:30 p.m. Sunday, according to a statement from Aurora police. The store is located in the ward she represents.

A plainclothes “asset protection” employee saw Johnson put markers, pencils, holiday party favors and two bottles of ibuprofen in her purse, police said. She paid for other items in her shopping cart, but never opened her purse and left the store without paying for those items.

The employee made contact with Johnson outside the store, escorted her to the asset protection office, and notified Aurora police.

In August 2013, Johnson, of the 400 block of Plaza Place in Aurora, was charged with stealing $150.24 worth of cosmetics and food from the same Meijer store, police said. She pled guilty and was granted supervision.

Johnson was released on bail, which was set at $1,500, police said. She is next scheduled to appear in DuPage County court March 7.