Fake IRS Scam Taxes Resident Out Of $9,000 In Gift Cards Using Fear Of Arrest: Morton Grove Crimes

MORTON GROVE, IL — The following is a record of incidents reported to the Morton Grove Police Department and a list of those arrested. Readers are reminded criminal charges represent merely accusations and all persons arrested are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

INCIDENTS

FRAUD
A resident in the 8800 block of Parkside Avenue reported on June 28 he received a call from a man purporting to work for a company called “Buy Vacant Land.” The caller told the resident the company was interested in advertising a property in Arizona the resident was seeking to sell. The caller paid $998 for services with his credit card but grew suspicious of transaction and notified police.

BURGLARY FROM VEHICLE
A resident in the 6500 block of Lyons Street reported on June 29 that Rayban sunglasses and $6 in cash had been stolen from a car that had been left unlocked overnight.

THEFT
A resident of the 9200 block of Major Avenue reported on June 29 that someone had called and stated they were from the IRS and that there was a warrant out for his arrest because he owed them money. The caller told the resident authorities would arrest him if he did not immediately agree to pay money. The resident ended up buying $7,000 in iTunes gift cards and then gave the codes on the back of the card to the purported government agent on the phone. The caller received another call from 847-470-5200, the complainant checked and the phone number came back to the Police Department. The man calling from the spoofed police phone number requested that the resident buy another $2,000 in iTunes gift cards. At this point, the resident realized it was a scam.

THEFT
A caller in the 8500 block of Georgiana reported that someone had taken two relics from a church as well as stolen money from a donation box.

» More: MGPD Releases Images Of Church Thieves, Seeks Public's Help

BURGLARY FROM A MOTOR VEHICLE
A resident in the 6400 block of Albert Street reported on June 29 that someone had gone through their unlocked vehicle and stolen a wallet from the glove box. A driver’s license, Chase credit card and about $60 in cash were taken.

CRIMINAL TRESPASS
A resident of the 6600 block of Maple Street reported on June 29 that someone had ransacked their vehicle. Nothing was immediately reported missing.

ARRESTS

LEAVING THE SCENE OF AN ACCIDENT
A 28-year-old Evanston man was arrested June 10 for leaving the scene of an accident without notifying the other party.

MISDEMEANOR SPEEDING
An 18-year-old Chicago man was arrested June 19 for speeding 71 mph in a 40 mph zone near the intersection of Golf Road and Sayre Avenue.

WARRANT
Nenad Petkovic, 30, of the 9100 block of National Avenue, was arrested on June 29 at Beckwith and Overlook after having contact with an officer who determined that he had an active Cook County warrant.

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