Counterfeit Money Resurfaces In New Lenox

NEW LENOX, IL - Last Thursday, New Lenox Police officers responded to two separate calls involving counterfeit $100 bills being used at the Jewel/Osco store at 475 Nelson Road. The first call of deceptive practices happened around 11:15 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 25. "The officer was dispatched to Jewel/Osco in reference to a fraudulent currency report. The complainant advised that a customer tendered a counterfeit $100 bill to a cashier," police reports show.

Then, at 11:52 a.m., New Lenox police took a second report from the same Jewel/Osco. "The officer was dispatched to Jewel/Osco in reference to a delayed fraudulent currency report. The complainant advised that a customer tendered a counterfeit $100 bill to a cashier to pay for a purchase" the police report states.

Both crimes remain under investigation at the New Lenox Police Department. The culprit remains at large.

Here are some other incidents investigated last week by New Lenox police:

IDENTITY THEFT

Reported at 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Jan.25 in the 1200 block of Towncrest Drive. "The complainant advised that someone obtained their personal information and attempted to open fraudulent credit card accounts."

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

Reported at 3:15 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 in the block of Tall Grass Road. "The complainant advised that they were approached by a subject claiming that he was at the residence to do work. The subject entered the complainant’s home and distracted the complainant for a period of time. The subject left the residence and the complainant called the NLPD. The responding officer arrived to investigate. It was then learned that several items had been stolen from inside the residence."

IDENTITY THEFT

Reported at 5:27 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26 in the 600 block of Dartmouth Lane. "The complainant advised that someone used their personal information to open a fraudulent account and make fraudulent purchases."

WARRANT ARREST

Occurred at 5:29 a.m. Jan. 27 at Lincoln Highway & Gougar Road. The person arrested was Jesus Barrera, 24, of the 1100 block of Joliet's Arthur Avenue. He was taken into custody on suspicion of having no valid driver's license and no proof of insurance. "The officer was dispatched to a one vehicle crash. While investigating the incident the officer learned that Barrera did not have a valid driver’s license or proof of insurance for the vehicle he was driving. The officer also learned that Barrera had an outstanding warrant out for his arrest. Barrera was taken into custody. Barrera was transferred to the Will County Adult Detention Facility. (Editor's note: jail logs spell the man's name as Jesus Barrerra-Garcia.)

Jesus Barrerra-Garcia

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE

Reported at 7:24 a.m. Jan. 27 in the 600 block of Southgate Road. "The complainant advised that someone vandalized two of their vehicles while parked at the residence."

RETAIL THEFT

Reported at 2:17 p.m. Jan. 27 at 475 Nelson Road. "The officer was dispatched to Jewel/Osco in reference to a Retail Theft report. The complainant advised that a subject stole various meats and alcohol from the store."

DUI ARREST

Occurred at 4:09 a.m. in the 600 block of West Lincoln Highway. The person arrested was Patrycja Przybylski, 31, who live in the 100 block of New Lenox's East Francis Road. "The officer was on patrol and observed a vehicle driving erratically. The officer conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and met with the driver, Przybylski. The officer learned that Przybylski was driving while under the influence of alcohol. Przybylski posted bond and was released."

Main file image via Plainfield Patch, mugshot via Will County Sheriff's Department