Shots Fired In Elmhurst? It Was A Science Project

ELMHURST, IL – In the last few days, Elmhurst police have handled cases involving shots fired, a rug theft, a dog attack, a mystery photographer, converter thefts and a stolen trailer, among others. Here is information from the latest Elmhurst police reports:

Shots fired

• Shots were reported fired about 8 p.m. Wednesday in the 100 block of Eldridge Lane. Officers checked the area and found no evidence of the shots. Upon further investigation, it was found that a group of students was conducting a project with dry ice, which may have caused the sound of gunshots.

Rug theft

• A resident in the 400 block of East Parkview contacted a rug cleaning company to clean two area rugs Jan. 30. Two men came to her house, identifying themselves as employees. They removed the two rugs. After two weeks, the resident contacted the business and learned she had been fooled into giving her rugs to thieves posing as employees. They were described as Hispanic and in their early 40s.

Dog attack

• A woman was walking by herself on the sidewalk about 7 a.m. Thursday in the 100 block of South Grace when a person’s dogs got loose and bit her legs, causing injuries. She was taken to the hospital, where she was treated for puncture wounds to both of her legs. The case was referred to DuPage County Animal Services.

Mystery photographer

• A man was seen taking several photos of a resident’s car and house about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 500 block of Berkley Avenue. The suspect approached the resident, threatened him and poked him in the chest. The suspect was described as white and 45 years old.

Converter thefts

• A catalytic converter was removed from a car about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday in the southeast parking lot of an apartment complex at 841 N. York Road. The suspects left in a black sedan, possibly a Dodge Charger. Two catalytic converters were stolen between 1 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at Medspeed, 140 W. Industrial. Others were taken from a car overnight Monday in a parking lot in the 600 block of West Grand; a car about 5 p.m. Tuesday in the 100 block of East Brush Hill Road; and two box trucks overnight Tuesday at STS Delivery, 150 W. Grand Ave.

Trailer stolen

• A trailer was stolen shortly before midnight Monday at Yorky’s restaurant, 836 N. York St. The trailer contained various car parts and a golf cart.

Phone missing

• A resident in the 400 block of South Fairfield Avenue told police Tuesday that an Apple iPhone 13 was shipped to his house. When he opened the package, nothing was inside.

Gift card scam

• A resident in the 900 block of North Riverside Drive told police Tuesday that she spoke to someone on the telephone, whom she believed to be a customer service representative. The person requested the resident buy gift cards for hotel cancellation fees. The resident later realized the phone call was a scam and immediately reported the fraud to her bank.

Chronic nuisance

• A chronic nuisance warning was issued to a house in the 400 block of West St. Charles Road on Wednesday.

Harassment

• A resident in the 900 block of Virginia told police Wednesday that a person continuously attempted to contact her about money that was owed. She wanted the matter documented because she was concerned for her safety.

Marijuana at York

• The school resource officer at York High School, 355 W. St. Charles Road, was contacted Wednesday by a dean about a student with two THC vape cartridges. The student was cited with possession of marijuana.

Check fraud

• Retina Associates, 133 E. Brush Hill Road, told police Wednesday that she sent a check to one of the company’s suppliers. Days later, she learned the recipient’s name and dollar amount had been changed.

Equipment stolen

• A Dewalt Red Line Laser was stolen between 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and 7:30 a.m. Thursday from a construction truck on a work site in the 100 block of North York.

Damage at business

• Two shipping containers were damaged after someone attempted to cut the locks open about 1:30 a.m. Feb. 10 at Ledcor Technical Services, 733 N. Oaklawn. Security footage shows a total of five people walking around the storage yard with bolt cutters after getting out of a dark extended cab pickup truck. They were unable to get inside the containers, then left south on Oaklawn.

Identity theft

• A resident on Elm Creek Drive told police Monday that he unwittingly gave his account information to a stranger who was posing as a Citibank employee. The suspect gained access to the resident’s account and withdrew money. The resident contacted Citibank to report the fraudulent activity.