SHOREWOOD, IL — For the second time in two years, a theft investigation at The Timbers of Shorewood has led to criminal charges. On Monday afternoon, Shorewood police arrested Marlyn C. Villalobos, 54, a contracted caregiver, for allegedly stealing from a 90-year-old resident at the assisted living facility.
Villalobos, formerly of Orland Park, was taken into custody and booked into the Will County Jail. She faces charges of financial exploitation of the elderly, residential burglary, burglary, theft, and obstructing a peace officer.
According to Shorewood Police Chief Phil Arnold, officers were dispatched to 1100 North River Road at 1:40 p.m. after facility staff suspected theft. Before police arrived, Villalobos had locked herself inside a bathroom in an apparent attempt to dispose of stolen items. Officers found her attempting to flush the victim’s jewelry down the toilet, which was later recovered and identified.
Villalobos was arrested on the spot. While in custody at the Shorewood Police Department, she requested multiple bathroom breaks and was again caught trying to flush stolen cash, which was also recovered. The victim confirmed the funds were missing.
Deputy Chief Jason Barten clarified that Villalobos was not a Timbers employee but rather a temporary contracted caregiver, and not the one normally assigned to the victim.
Villalobos remains in custody pending a pre-trial release hearing in accordance with the Illinois SAFE-T Act.
This incident follows a 2023 case at the same facility involving former employee Christine A. Brown, who was charged with stealing over $100,000 from the facility between 2021 and 2022. That case remains active in Will County Court.
