St. Charles Man Charged in $8,000 Theft in DuPage County

A St. Charles man has been charged with stealing more than $8,358.98 from an organization serving special needs individuals, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced late last week in Wheaton.

Kurt Hinterkopf, 33, of the 00-99 block of North 12th Avenue, surrendered to authorities May 29, 2013 on a $20,000 arrest warrant. He is charged with one count of Class 3 felony theft,  punishable by two to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The  state’s attorney’s office said he posted $2,000 bond and was released.

According to authorities, Hinterkopf began working at the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA) in Carol Stream as a program supervisor in September 2008. As program supervisor, Hinterkopf had access to agency funds that were intended for programs for WDSRA participants.

Authorities allege that beginning in November 2008, Hinterkopf periodically stole money from the WDSRA and used it for his own use. The thefts continued until Hinterkopf left the organization in April 2013. It was after his departure that authorities noticed funds were missing from the programs Hinterkopf supervised. After completing an internal audit, authorities contacted the Carol Stream Police Department with their findings. An investigation conducted by the Carol Stream Police Department revealed that a total of $8,358.98 was missing from the WDSRA’s funds.

“Not-for-profit organizations such as the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association rely on the generosity of others to help make the world a better place for those who have special needs,” Berlin said. “The very idea that anyone, let alone an employee, would steal from such an organization is just disgraceful and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

Hinterkopf is scheduled for arraignment on July 1, 2013 before Judge George Bakalis.

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