“If I got caught, then yes, I planned on paying.”
Those were the words of Audrey M. Brown after a brazen act of Felony Retail Theft in St. Charles led to her being cornered by police outside a local Target. On the evening of January 28, 2025, a routine shopping trip turned into a felony showdown at 3885 E. Main St.
Table of Contents
Watch: Felony Retail Theft in St. Charles Caught on Camera
Note: Pay close attention to the timestamp at 00:01:34 where the suspect attempts to argue that she never technically “left” the store because she was between the double exit doors.
Full Story: How the Incident Unfolded
The incident began at approximately 5:58 PM when Target Loss Prevention noticed a subject acting strangely in the cleaning aisle. Audrey M. Brown was spotted with an empty cardboard box in her cart—a common tactic used to conceal items from overhead cameras.
Under the watchful eye of store security, Brown moved through the aisles, grabbing merchandise and watching for cameras. She eventually pushed her cart into the candle aisle, which she believed was a “blind spot.”
There, she began stuffing items into plastic Target bags she had grabbed from an unoccupied checkout lane. She even took the time to neatly fold a bed blanket before shoving it into a bag.
The Confrontation
Brown made her move at 6:13 PM. She bypassed all points of sale and pushed her cart through the first set of exit doors on the east side of the building.
St. Charles Police Officers Farfan and Monaco were already on the scene. They met her in the vestibule.
“I don’t understand,” Brown told the officers during the recorded struggle for her ID. “I didn’t even get out.”
Officer Monaco was quick to correct her: “It doesn’t matter if you go through that first set or that second set of doors. You left the store without paying.”
Inside the Investigation: The Full Merchandise List
Police recovered a massive haul from Brown’s cart. The items ranged from high-end vitamins to pet supplies and home decor.
The total value of the stolen goods reached $749.23 USD before taxes. Because the amount exceeded the legal threshold for a misdemeanor, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office was called in.
Recovered Items Included:
- Auden Sleepwear and Cuddl Duds brand clothing
- Olly Brand Vitamins and Healthcare products
- A Threshold Brand Rug and Bed Blanket
- Cat treats, scratching posts, and Fancy Feast cat food
- A live plant and various cleaning chemicals
The Arrest: Charges Against Audrey M. Brown
| Charge | Simple Explanation | Potential Penalty (US) |
| Felony Retail Theft (720 ILCS 5/16-25(a)(1)) | Taking merchandise over a certain value without paying. | Class 3 Felony; 2-5 years in prison. |
Brown was booked at the St. Charles Police Department. During questioning, she admitted that seeing the unoccupied self-checkout was a “spur of the moment” decision to leave without paying.
Legal Analysis: Was the Felony Retail Theft in St. Charles Justified?
Fourth Amendment Check: The stop was based on direct observation by Target Loss Prevention, who saw Brown concealing items and bypassing the registers. This provides “Probable Cause” for the police to detain and search the suspect incident to arrest.
Police Protocol: Officers followed standard procedure by reading Brown her Miranda Rights before the formal interview at the station. Brown waived those rights, stating “Yes” when asked if she would answer questions.
[Read more Evidence Decode investigations here]
5 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) connected to the legal charges in this case:
Does a person have to leave the building to be charged with retail theft?
No. In many jurisdictions, and as noted by officers in this incident, “leaving the store” can be defined as moving past the last point of sale (the registers) and entering the vestibule or the area between the double doors. If the individual has bypassed all opportunities to pay for the merchandise, the crime is considered committed even if they are still physically within the outer structure of the building.
How does the total value of items change a charge from a misdemeanor to a felony?
The classification of retail theft often depends on the monetary value of the items involved. In this specific case, because the merchandise totaled $749.23, the police contacted a felony hotline to upgrade the charge. In Illinois, once the value of stolen property exceeds a specific statutory threshold, it transitions from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 3 Felony.
Can “concealment” within a store be used as evidence of intent?
Yes. While simply holding an item isn’t a crime, the act of concealing merchandise—such as placing it inside a personal bag, a cardboard box, or another container while still inside the store—is often used by law enforcement to prove the “intent to deprive the merchant” of the items. Observing a subject looking for cameras before hiding items is a key factor used by Loss Prevention to establish suspicion.
What does it mean when a charge is “screened” by a State’s Attorney?
When a crime meets certain criteria or involves high-value amounts, the responding officer may contact a State’s Attorney (ASA) via a “Felony Hotline” to review the facts. The ASA “screens” the case by listening to the evidence and determining if the specific legal requirements for a felony are met before the suspect is officially booked on that charge.
Can a suspect avoid arrest by offering to pay for the items after being caught?
Generally, no. Once the act of retail theft has been completed (passing the point of sale without payment), the crime has legally occurred. Offering to pay after being apprehended is viewed as a request for leniency rather than a legal defense, and merchants like Target often choose to pursue charges regardless of the suspect’s post-apprehension offers.
Conclusion & Current Status
Audrey M. Brown was released from custody after processing. She has been issued a court date of March 6, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The hearing will take place at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles, Illinois.
Target has officially banned Brown from the premises and has provided full surveillance footage as evidence for the upcoming trial.
Download Police Report click here.
Disclaimer: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based on official police records.
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