Man Charged With Theft From Concordia University Weight Room

River Forest police announced today that they arrested and charged Robert Gardner, 19, of the 5400 block of west Congress Parkway in Chicago, for stealing a Concordia University student's backpack from a university weight room.

The theft was reported to River Forest police at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23.

The student told police that the previous evening, he had left his track and field backpack in the university weight room and when he returned, the bag was missing.

Police said that based on their initial investigation, and an examination of available evidence, they were able to identify Gardner as the one responsible for the theft.

Police said that they saw Gardner walking near the Oak Park Public Library on Lake Street on Oct. 24, and when the officers tried to speak with him, he ran. Following a brief foot chase, Gardner was taken into custody on the 200 block of north Kenilworth in Oak Park.

Gardner was taken to the station and charged with theft, possession of a controlled substance, and also held on an open warrant for a residential burglary from the Cook County Sheriff's Department.

Gardner was held prior to appearing in bond court at the Maybrook Court House earlier today.