Workers At Elmhurst Firms Suspected Of Theft: Police

ELMHURST, IL – In the last few days, Elmhurst police have handled cases involving thefts at businesses, a fight, damage, a scam, unwanted messages and retail theft. Here is information from the latest Elmhurst police reports:

Employees suspected of theft

• Chicago Water and Fire Restoration, 720 N. Larch Ave., told police Tuesday that an employee was falsifying time sheets. An investigation is pending.
• A former employee of Bentley's Pet Stuff, 624 N. York St., admitted Tuesday to stealing money from the business while he was working there. An investigation is pending.

Fight

• A fight occurred about 5 p.m. Wednesday at Delta Sonic gas station, 600 W. North Ave. The four people involved gave conflicting statements and were released. An investigation is pending.

Priest issue

• A woman told police she was approached by a man who identified himself as a priest about 11 a.m. Friday at Visitation Catholic Church, 779 S. York St. The man requested to bless her daughter. She questioned whether the man was a priest. An officer spoke with the man, and the man confirmed he was a priest with the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Fire alarm

• An officer responding to a fire alarm at 118 E. Schiller St. noticed smoke along with a strong odor of burnt marijuana. The officer found a green plant-based substance, which was placed into evidence. The alarm was about 8:30 p.m. Monday.

Damage

• Windows were broken between April 2 and April 24 on the north and west sides of the train depot, 128 W. First St.

Found bicycle

• A black and turquoise Nishiki Pueblo bicycle was found about 2 p.m. Monday at Berens Park, 493 N. Oaklawn. It was placed into evidence for safekeeping.

Scam

• A woman in the 200 block of North Addison Avenue told police Tuesday that she received a call from someone who claimed to be her boss and asked her to buy gift cards. An investigation is pending.

Suspicious

• A woman told police she was pushing her son on a swing when a woman stood close by about 3 p.m. Monday at Washington Park, 445 S. Poplar Ave. The mother said it appeared as if the woman wanted to pick up her child from the swing. Police spoke with the other woman and determined she had special needs.

Unwanted messages

• A resident in the 200 block of East Fremont Avenue told police Tuesday that she received unwanted text messages from her ex-boyfriend, the father of her child. The ex-boyfriend told an officer that he would only communicate with the resident through her attorney.

Theft

• Someone was believed to have stolen a handicap placard from a woman's purse between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday at Portillo's, 155 S. Route 83.

Disturbance

• A person created a scene between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday at Clarion Inn, 933 Riverside Drive. The person was given a no-trespass notice and left the business without any issues.

Retail theft

• Two women stole items about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Kohl's, 303 S. Route 83. Both women were described as black and 22 to 28 years old. One had shoulder-length hair and was wearing a dark Gap hoodie and light-colored jeans ripped at the knees. The other had short black hair in tight braids and was wearing a gray hoodie, black shoes and glasses.

Identity theft

• A resident in the 200 block of West Claremont Street told police Monday that someone used her information to file for a loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• A resident in the 300 block of Cayuga Avenue told police Tuesday that someone filed a 2021 tax return using his information. The resident received a check from the IRS. The resident then informed the IRS that the return was fraudulent.