Lawyer Scam, Cocaine Charge: Hinsdale Cops

HINSDALE, IL – In the last few days, Hinsdale police handled cases involving a lawyer scam, drug possession, fraudulent checks, retail theft, a warrant and DUIs. Here is information from the latest Hinsdale police reports:

Lawyer scam

• A resident in the 10 block of Ulm Place told police that someone who was claiming to be the resident’s lawyer emailed directions for a wire transfer about 10 a.m. Jan. 24. The resident figured it was a scam before sending the money. No loss was reported. The case is pending.

Drug possession

• Mario Gomez, 49, of Chicago, was arrested about 4:30 a.m. Saturday at York Road and Ogden Avenue on charges of possession of a controlled substance, DUI (alcohol) and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. According to a police report, Gomez was in possession of a white powdery substance that field-tested positive for cocaine. He was taken to the DuPage County Jail.

Fraudulent checks

• Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 7 N. Grant St., told police Jan. 25 about the discovery that five fraudulent checks had been cashed against the business’ bank account, totaling $3,375. The company said it had ordered business checks, but had not received them. The checks were signed Jan. 11 and Jan. 21.

Retail theft

• A man stole two cartons of cigarettes valued at $91 each about 10 p.m. Thursday at Shell gas station, 210 E. Ogden Ave. The man left the store when the clerk turned his back. He drove away in a dark SUV. The suspect was described as white and 50 years old. The case is pending.

Warrant

• Richard D. Martinez, 33, of Hinsdale, was arrested about 11 p.m. Monday at Minneola and Justina streets on a warrant. He was taken to the DuPage County Jail.

DUI

• Police suspected a driver involved in a crash about 5 p.m. Sunday in the 5600 block of South Madison Street was under the influence of alcohol. The suspect consented to giving blood and urine samples. The suspect was released pending the results of a lab report.

Felony revoked license

• Richard D. Klika, 63, of Brookfield, was arrested at 4 p.m. Monday in the 100 block of East 55th Street on charges of felony driving with a revoked license, theft of stolen property, unlawful display of registration and operating an uninsured vehicle. According to a police report, he has had multiple revoked license offenses. A registration inquiry showed the license plate on Klika’s car was stolen. He was taken to the DuPage County Jail.

Police report information is provided by local police departments. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and people charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.