Fake Theft Reported By Unlicensed Driver, Cops Say

NORTHBROOK, IL — A 22-year-old Chicago man was charged with disorderly conduct after he allegedly called 9-1-1 and gave a false report, which police believe was intended as a diversion. Tacarre A. Harper, of the 400 block of North Troy Street, had locked his keys in his vehicle in the 500 block of Dundee Road around noon on Aug. 16 when he first called Northbrook cops for help breaking out his window, police said.

The officer who responded noticed Harper's vehicle had an expired registration that didn't match up to the vehicle in which he had locked his keys. Plus, according to police, Harper explained that he did not have a valid driver's license. Naturally, the cop told Harper not to drive the vehicle, and Harper reportedly began to walk away from the scene.

But just a few minutes later, Northbrook emergency dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call reporting a retail theft in progress, police said. The caller explained that several people had run out of a store in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard carrying stolen merchandise.

While cops were responding to the theft call, which turned out to be false, an officer who assisted on the vehicle lock-out call noted that Harper had returned to the vehicle, according to police. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Northbrook — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Police said it was soon determined that the phone call appeared to have been a scheme to distract them by Harper, who was transported to the station, processed and released.

_{Top image via Northbrook PD}