Five Charged in Alleged Fencing Operation
Accused of Selling Stolen Merchandise on eBay

Five people appeared in bond court today before Judge Maura Slattery-Boyle on charges they received merchandise stolen from local retailers and sold the items on EBay.  The five individuals were employed at two different second-hand stores in the Chicago area.

Charged with theft, Class 2 felony, carrying a maximum five-year sentence, and receiving stolen property, Class 3 felony, carrying a maximum seven-year sentence, are:

Mike Pirozzoli, 38, 1749 N. 21st Ave., Melrose Park; Javier Rodriguez, 46, 2 N 417 Mildred Ave., Glenn Ellyn, both of whom worked at Fast Cash, 5422 W. North Ave.  Pirozzoli was ordered held on a $100,000 bond today.  Rodriguez was ordered held on $75,000 bond.

Ralph Cataudella, 49, 2338 W. Belden Ave.; John Cataudella, 49, 125 Adams, Addison, and his wife, Joanne Cataudella 51, of the same address, were also charged.  These three defendants worked at Cash Inn, 6 S. Cicero Ave., Cicero.  Ralph Cataudella and John Cataudella were ordered held on $100,000 bond each.  Joanne Cataudella was ordered held on $75,000 bond. 

According to Assistant State’s Attorney Russ Baker of the Organized Crime Unit, the State’s Attorney’s Office was contacted by agents for Macy’s department store about stolen merchandise being fenced.  The thieves were allegedly doing business with the two second-hand stores.   The five defendants are accused of receiving stolen property through these stores and selling the items on EBay, after steaming off all routing and shipping labels making it impossible to identify or track the origin of the merchandise.

All five defendants will appear again in court on January 10, 2007, Branch 98 at 11 a.m.

The investigation is continuing.

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