Man steals bubbly on North Side, prompting 63rd arrest

A man racked up his 63rd arrest by stealing three bottles of champagne from a Lake View neighborhood Whole Foods grocery Sunday on the North Side.

John Crowe, 70, of the 1200 block of South Kedvale Avenue, was charged with retail theft, a misdemeanor, according to police, who said the charge may be upgraded to a felony.

Crowe -- who has at least 50 aliases -- also has given several different addresses, was arrested at 5:20 p.m. Sunday at 3300 North Ashland Ave. at a Whole Foods Market, according to police who said Sunday’s arrest was his 63rd.

Whole Foods security guard Julio Avila signed a complaint after Crowe allegedly placed three bottles of champagne under his jacket and walked out the door without paying for the items which were valued at $135, according to a police report.

The guard detained Crowe until Chicago Police could arrive.

Belmont Area detectives are investigating.