Jan. 26--Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of a Melrose Park man who authorities allege illegally helped himself to a few beers -- about 45,000 of them.
Opening statements could be delivered Wednesday in the DuPage County trial of Thomas M. Gibbons, 48, who is accused of stealing 1,868 cases of beer from a McHenry beer distributorship.
Gibbons, who has been free on bond, is facing charges of theft between $10,000 and $100,000.
Authorities allege that on Oct. 30, 2012, Gibbons stole the beer from the Chas. Herdrich and Son distributorship, and that he used a rented truck to transport the 22 pallets of Miller beer to a warehouse in Bensenville.
Police executing a search warrant found some of the pallets inside the facility in the 400 block of Industrial Drive, according to court files. Gibbons, authorities said, had access to the warehouse.
Judge John Kinsella is overseeing the trial.
Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.
