CHICAGO — The heads of a suburban Chicago family accused of stealing $7 million in goods in a multistate shoplifting spree will stay in jail pending trial because they are a flight risk, a federal judge ruled Monday.

Branko Bogdanov, 58, and his wife, Lela Bogdanov, 52, allegedly operated in tandem with their daughter to pilfer merchandise and sell it on eBay. They were arrested last week at their home in a wealthy Northbrook neighborhood.

Prosecutor Renato Mariotti said the husband and wife emigrated from what was then Yugoslavia and are in the U.S. illegally. Both, he said, had arrest records.

“This defendant has nothing to lose,” Mariotti said at Monday’s detention hearing, referring to the husband. “I think if you let him go ... he’ll disappear.”

He accused Branko Bogdanov of misleading officials by claiming he’s $28,500 in debt. In fact, Mariotti said, he owns a $1.3 million house and 12 vehicles.

Separately, Mariotti accused Lela Bogdanov of exaggerating illness, saying her slow shuffle in court contrasted with surveillance video of her sprinting out of stores with toys and other items tucked under her skirt.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Mason did not immediately rule on whether the 34-year-old daughter, Julia Bogdanov, should remain behind bars.