Police seek woman accused in theft of meds

Updated: October 21, 2012 2:46PM

BANNOCKBURN — Police have issued an arrest warrant week for a woman suspected of stealing nearly $4,000 worth of medications from area pharmacies.

Donna Koss-Burris, 41, of Hanover Park is wanted for theft and retail theft, stemming from an incident Aug. 25 at Walgreen’s, 2501 Waukegan Road, Bannockburn.

According to Bannockburn police, Koss-Burris’ 18-year-old son walked into the Walgreen’s and told a clerk he had purchased the wrong kind of allergy medication for his uncle. He attempted to get a refund, police said, but the employees recognized the man from a company email that listed him as a suspect in several Walgreen’s thefts the day before.

The responding Bannockburn officers reported that the man showed his receipt, which was from a Walgreen’s in Lake Bluff. According to the police report, the man had no answers when officers asked him why he had driven to Bannockburn, why he was seeking a refund and what kind of medication his uncle needed.

Police also talked to Koss-Burris’ sister, who was sitting in a car in the parking lot, but Koss-Burris had already left the area. They obtained the sister’s permission to search the trunk, and found a three-foot by two-foot green duffle bag.

“I opened the duffle bag, and found numerous boxes of over-the-counter medication, some exactly what (Koss-Burris’ son) had just purchased today in Lake Bluff,” the officer wrote in the police report.

The report listed the drugs’ value at $3,913. Koss-Burris’ son and sister both denied the bag was theirs, the report stated.

“No, it’s Bubba’s,” she responded before explaining that Bubba is a nickname for her nephew.

The officers also searched the inside of the car and found Koss-Burris’ wallet, which contained $1,924.

Police released Koss-Burris’ sister and son, but warned that the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office may press charges. The State’s Attorney’s office issued a warrant for Koss-Burris this week.

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