COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A Karyn's employee is accused of breaking into the Lincoln Park restaurant and market, and stealing more than $600 in cash.
Owner Karyn Calabrese said Willie Young, 35, was working as a part-time dishwasher when he broke into the long-standing vegan restaurant at 1901 N. Halsted St. on Jan. 28.
According to police and prosecutors, Young used a valid security code to turn off the restaurant's alarm and steal $639 from a cash drawer.
Young then re-armed the security system before heading out, Assistant State's Attorney Lorraine Scaduto said during a bond hearing Wednesday.
Calabrese told DNAinfo Wednesday night she was "very shocked" by Young's alleged actions — and that he'd been a Karyn's employee without incident since 2013.
"I was hurt more than anything," Calabrese said in a phone interview. "We just had our Christmas party. He was there dancing. I did not expect this at all."
The entire burglary was captured on camera, and police arrested Young when he showed up to work his regular shift Monday afternoon, Calabrese said.
"We had him on tape," she noted. "That's what so ridiculous. We have cameras everywhere. [All of the employees] know I have cameras. I don't know what he was thinking. Well, obviously he wasn't."
Young, of the 2600 block of North Hoyne Avenue, has no prior criminal history.
When Calabrese learned about the burglary, she said, she knew it "had to be an inside job." The burglar knew how to turn off the restaurant's alarm system and exactly where Calabrese stored the petty cash.
To make matters worse, Calabrese said, she was involved in a car crash two weeks before the burglary, and currently has a broken right shoulder and a broken kneecap.
"I've definitely seen better days," Calabrese said Wednesday, adding that Young is no longer employed by Karyn's and she hopes he "learns a lesson and moves on with his life."
Calabrese in December launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $300,000 for rent and business expenses. As of Wednesday night, the campaign had raised $7,113.
Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. on Wednesday said Young could be released on his own recognizance.
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