Facial tattoo identifies suspected liquor bottle thief: Des Plaines police

DES PLAINES, IL — A Chicago man has been charged with shoplifting after allegedly stealing 35 bottles of alcohol in Des Plaines in July. Christopher Lawson, 37, of 7300 N. Sheridan Road, was arrested Wednesday during a separate court appearance in Rolling Meadows.

Police said Lawson was identified through surveillance and body camera footage that showed his facial tattoo. In addition to the July 1 theft at a store in the 1500 block of Lee Street, Lawson is wanted for similar crimes in other locations.

Lawson was wearing a black ski mask, white long-sleeved shirt and neon yellow vest at the time of the theft. Anti-theft employees at the Des Plaines store had become aware of him because he was allegedly wearing the women's outfit while stealing alcohol from other stores. Police said another law enforcement agency even made contact with Lawson on the day of the incident.

The Cook County District Attorney's Office has charged the man with a felony.