A repeat offender with 25 Chicago arrests since 2017 was charged after getting locked inside a Macy’s overnight and treating the empty department store like his personal closet and kitchen.
Roy Pughsley, 53, was hit with burglary and felony retail theft charges Tuesday after Cook County Sheriff’s Office deputies identified him as the man caught on security cameras wandering the Chicago Macy’s in late June, according to the sheriff’s office. The footage shows him pulling clothes off racks, trying on multiple new outfits, and eventually strolling out around 3:25 a.m. With unpaid merchandise.
The brazen overnight spree only came to light after a Macy’s employee spotted someone outside the store who matched the description of the intruder, deputies said. The worker noticed the man was wearing the same shoes and carrying the same backpack seen in the security footage, leading to Pughsley’s arrest.
In the viral moment that made national headlines, security footage released by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office allegedly shows Pughsley boldly marching through the empty department store after hours. He was seen not just swiping clothing but also making himself at home in one of the store’s kitchens, where he opened a refrigerator and fixed himself a plate of food before continuing his shopping spree unbothered.
Pughsley’s criminal history in Chicago stretches back years. He’s racked up 25 arrests in the Windy City since 2017, including six arrests this year alone, according to Fox 32. His most recent prior arrest came on June 3 for unlawful use of a weapon, just weeks before the alleged Macy’s burglary.
The Cook County Sheriff’s Office announced the burglary and felony retail theft charges Tuesday, capping off the investigation that began with the late June break-in. Deputies said Pughsley had hidden out in the store until closing time, then spent hours helping himself to whatever caught his eye.
The case drew immediate attention for its audacity, with the suspect not just stealing but literally living it up inside the iconic retailer, making a meal and trying on clothes as if he had all the time in the world. The security footage shows him finally leaving around 3:25 a.m., apparently satisfied with his night’s work.
Pughsley is now facing serious felony charges that could add to his already lengthy rap sheet. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office did not release additional details about his bond status or next court appearance.