Group Dines And Dashes On Nearly $600 Bill: Northbrook Police Blotter

NORTHBROOK, IL — The following information comes from the Northbrook Police Department and court records as a record of incidents reported to police and those arrested on criminal charges, which represent accusations by the state that are often dropped or reduced. Updated information may be available from the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Everyone arrested is presumed to be innocent unless found guilty in court beyond a reasonable doubt.

ARRESTS

RETAIL THEFT

Mario A. Gomez Carmona, of Gurnee, is accused of retail theft, and was arrested at 11:58 a.m. Sept. 18, in the 1400 block of Lake Cook Road. The loss prevention staff at a retail store saw Gomez Carmona enter the store and walk to the men's clothing department. Gomez Carmona grabbed two high-end pieces of clothing and concealed them in his sweatshirt. Gomez Carmona walked out of the store without paying. The total amount stolen was $300. Gomez Carmona was charged with retail theft. The court date is set for October 10

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

David Gonzalez, of Prospect Heights, is accused of driving under the influence, failure to signal lane change, improper lane usage, operation of uninsured motor vehicle, and was arrested at 9:38 p.m. Sept. 19, at Willow and Old Willow roads. Police had seen Gonzalez driving a 2018 black Chevrolet and change lanes without signaling. After the lane change, the vehicle drove in the middle of the two lanes. The officer stopped the vehicle and spoke to the Gonzalez. Gonzalez appeared intoxicated and had a difficult time getting his ID for the officer, according to police. The officer also saw several empty alcoholic beverage cans throughout the inside of the vehicle. The officer asked Gonzalez to step out of the vehicle to perform the sobriety tests. Gonzalez was unsteady when he exited the vehicle, but then refused to perform the tests. A court date of Oct. 14 was assigned.

LAST WEEK'S BLOTTER: Resident Scammed Of $280K Over Phone — Northbrook Police Blotter

INCIDENTS

BANK FRAUD

A Dundee Road resident reported at 3:20 p.m. Sept. 13, he had been contacted by his banking institution regarding a withdrawal on his account. The bank indicated that there was a withdrawal on Sept. 12 of $1,000. The complainant said that he never took any money out of the account and still had his debit card in his possession. It is unknown how anyone got access to it.

THEFT

A complainant reported at 7:14 a.m. Sept. 15, he had an argument with the staff at the hotel he had stayed at in the 900 block of Skokie Boulevard. After going back to his room, he decided to step outside to smoke a cigarette. The complainant returned to his room and claimed someone stole his $80 that was left near the television.

THEFT FROM VEHICLE

A resident in the 2000 block of Center Avenue called police at 6:40 p.m. Sept. 16, to report that during the night of Sept. 10, someone had removed the catalytic converter from the family’s 2013 black Volkswagen.

FLEEING AND ELUDING

Police responded to the area of Skokie Boulevard and Dundee Road at 5:09 p.m. Sept. 17, because a license plate recognition camera observed a silver Hyundai that had been used in retail thefts. An officer found the vehicle parked in a grocery store parking lot. A female approached the vehicle. An officer attempted to stop and speak with her. The female quickly got into the vehicle and drove off. The vehicle stopped at the other side of the parking lot and two other people got into the vehicle. As officers activated their emergency lights to stop the vehicle, the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed.

THEFT OF SERVICES

The manager of a restaurant in the 900 block of Skokie Boulevard reported at 9:56 p.m. Sept. 17, a large group of people arrived to eat dinner. After the party had completed their meal, they walked out without paying. The total for the bill was $560.

PHONE SCAM

A Center Avenue resident called police at 8:28 a.m. Sept. 18, to report receiving a text indicating there had been an issue with his bank account. He then received a phone call from a person that indicated they worked at his bank. The person asked for his pin number to fix the issue. The complainant provided the pin. The person reassured him that money needed to be moved to different accounts to fix the issue. While on the phone, the complainant started noticing money missing from the account. The complainant hung up and called the general number to his bank, only to realize he had been scammed. They found two illegal wire transfers totaling $8,750 that were taken from his account.

RETAIL THEFT

• The staff at a retail store in the 800 block of Willow Road called police on Sept. 18 to report that on Aug. 4, someone had entered their Northbrook store. They were familiar with the person because of other past thefts at their various Chicagoland stores. The person grabbed various bed linens and hampers, totaling $1,719.85. The person walked out of the store without paying.
• The staff at a clothing store in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard called police at 4:45 p.m. Sept. 18, to report two females had entered the store and walked to the shoes for sale. The pair concealed two pairs of shoes in a black bag and walked outside without paying. The staff stopped the two to confront them about the theft. During the confrontation, the staff grabbed the bag of stolen shoes. One of the females scratched the staff member, but eventually let go of the stolen merchandise. Both females fled in a black Acura. The total amount stolen was $194.94.