Police Reports: Ruse burglars ask to check water pressure, more

These reports were pulled from police summaries provided by departments in our coverage area (Wilmette, Winnetka, Northfield, Kenilworth and Glencoe) during the week of Sunday-Saturday, Feb. 21-27.

Wilmette:

There were eight incidents of Illinois Department of Employment Services — later referred to as IDES — fraud filed between Feb. 19-26 in Wilmette.

Feb. 24

• A resident of the 2700 block of Lincoln Avenue reportedly told police that an unknown subject — described as a white male, about 5 foot 6 inches tall, with a medium build and olive skin — reportedly came the resident’s home claiming he needed to check the water supply because a neighbor’s pipe burst. The resident allegedly allowed the man to come inside, where he spent five minutes in the basement and said the water supply was fine. The resident later discovered missing items, suggesting that other offenders entered the home while the first offender distracted the resident. The first man reportedly wore a traffic vest, hat and mask, and spoke on a walkie talkie in an unknown language.

Feb. 22

• A resident’s information was fraudulently used to open a bank account. The resident contacted the bank directly and the bank advised the account would be closed. Another resident reported a credit card was opened in their name on the same day.

Feb. 19

• A complainant reported their elderly father was the victim of financial exploitation.

Kenilworth:

There was one incident of IDES fraud filed on Feb. 8 in Kenilworth.

Winnetka:

There were 12 incidents of IDES fraud filed through Feb. 20 in Winnetka.

Feb. 17

• Jewelry and money were stolen between Jan. 8-Feb. 17 from a secured residence in the 1100 block of Ash Street. The amount of loss is unknown.

Jan. 29

• A resident’s information was fraudulently used to open a PayPal account and make purchases worth $2,785.

Glencoe:

There were six incidents of IDES fraud filed between Feb. 18-23 in Glencoe.

Feb. 23

• After making a sale on eBay, a resident was reportedly deceived into changing the buyer’s delivery address. As a result, the package was not delivered to the intended buyer. The resident refunded the buyer’s money. The case is under investigation.

Feb. 22

• A resident’s information was used to apply for a fraudulent Go2Bank credit card. There was no reported financial loss.

Feb. 17

• Several fraudulent credit cards were opened in a resident’s name. There was no reported financial loss.

Northfield:

There were five incidents of IDES fraud filed between Feb. 15-19 in Northfield.

Feb. 16

• A resident received a phone call from an out-of-state number at 10:43 a.m. that advised them they were lottery winners. The caller claimed they needed money to pay for the transfer of the winnings, but the resident told them they knew the call was illegitimate and hung up the phone.  The caller called back and threatened to shoot them.

The Record’s police reports are taken from police-activity summaries prepared by local police departments. Police Reports contain public information from preliminary reports and are not a complete listing of all police activity. All arrestees are innocent until proven guilty.