Chicago Man Guilty of Shoving Cops After Multiple Thefts at Premium Outlet Store

A Chicago man with a lengthy criminal past has been convicted of shoving a police officer who was investigating his involvement in multiple retail thefts.

Shawn A. Gosa, 45, of the 700 block of North Lotus Street, Chicago, was convicted by a Kane County jury of one count of aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony, and two counts of retail theft, one a Class 3 felony and one a Class 4 felony.

The jury deliberated for about two hours before it reached its verdict.

At about noon Aug. 5, 2011, Gosa entered multiple stores at Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora. He stole approximately $900 worth of merchandise from multiple stores. When Gosa was seen on closed-circuit video in one store removing items from behind a counter and placing them into a bag, police were called.

When confronted by an Aurora police officer, Gosa shoved the officer, handed the bag of stolen merchandise to an accomplice and fled. A second Aurora officer tackled Gosa in the parking lot after a foot chase.

Circuit Judge John A. Barsanti set Gosa’s next court appearance for 1 p.m. Jan. 16, 2014, for motions and sentencing. Gosa faces a sentence of probation or between two and 10 years in the Illinois Department of corrections.

Gosa is eligible for enhanced sentencing based on his criminal history. He has seven prior convictions dating to 1995.

“Mr. Gosa is a career criminal who has been removed from the street and placed behind bars. Our community is a safer place without him,” Kane County state’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Mark D. Stajdohar and Katie Doyen.

SOURCE: Kane County State's Attorney's Office