Pieces Of Cheese, Milk Thrown Over Car At Store: Northbrook PD 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

SUSPENDED/REVOKED LICENSE

Giles C. Martinez, of Glenview, is accused of having a defective license plate light, driving while license suspended, failure to carry license, illegal transportation of cannabis, and was arrested at 8:07 p.m. Jan. 31, at Sunset Ridge Road and Skokie Boulevard. Police pulled over Martinez for having a defective license plate light. During the subsequent traffic stop, police reportedly found an open bottle of alcohol on the floor of the front passenger seat and a mason jar containing cannabis. A court date is set for Feb. 21.

THEFT

Jeffrey A. Cimino, of Buffalo Grove, had a warrant out of Cook County for theft, failure to appear in court out of Lake County, and was arrested at 2:07 a.m. Feb. 2, at Dundee and Pfingsten roads. He was taken into custody and brought to the Cook County Jail.

POSSESSION OF A STOLEN AUTO

Sergio L. Diaz-Siso is accused of unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, unlawful possession of stolen license plates, and was arrested at 1:13 p.m. Feb. 6, at Founders Drive and Willow Road. Police found a 2005 silver Jeep parked in front of a store. The officer ran the license plates, and they came back stolen out of Chicago, but registered to another vehicle. The officer ran the VIN and the vehicle came back stolen out of Crystal Lake. The vehicle was unoccupied, so the officers waited for the driver to return. Diaz-Siso walked up to the vehicle and unlocked the doors to place his items in the back. When Diaz-Siso got in the driver's seat, the officers approached him to inquire about the vehicle's status. He reportedly admitted he knew the vehicle was stolen. A court date of Feb. 7 was assigned.

LAST WEEK'S BLOTTER: Telephone, Cable Lines Cut During Home Burglary — Northbrook PD Blotter

INCIDENTS

EMAIL/PHONE SCAM

• An employee of a company in the 400 block of Huehl Road reported at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 31, receiving an email from someone posing as the owner of the company. The email said he wanted gift cards bought for an employee event and asked for the complainant's phone number. After believing the email was legitimate, the complainant provided the phone number and was instructed to go to four different grocery stores to buy gift cards via texts. In total, the complainant bought $3,150 in gift cards with his credit card. The complainant provided the person with the gift card numbers and came back to work. Once back, he was informed he just got scammed.
• A Lee Road resident reported at 6:40 p.m. Jan. 31, receiving a phone call from someone posing as a fraud investigator from her bank. He advised her he found a suspicious transaction on her account and needed her help fixing the issue. She was told to withdraw $500 and then go to a store to buy a gift card. After withdrawing the money from her bank, the complainant went to two different stores, but was advised by employees it was a possible scam. The complainant never purchased any gift cards and contacted the police.
• A Waukegan Road resident called police at 3:07 p.m. Feb. 4, to report she had received a phone call from someone claiming to work for her bank. The caller ID also indicated it was from her bank. The caller claimed there had been some fraud on her account and needed her information to assist her with it. The complainant provided her debit card information. She said she realized it was a scam after she hung up the phone. The complainant contacted her bank and noticed there were two fraudulent withdraws for a total of $990out of Delaware.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

While on patrol, police located an open entrance gate to a closed business at 9:48 a.m. Feb. 3, in the 1300 block of Techny Road. Knowing that the business has been closed for several years, the officer checked the building for any signs of criminal activity. During his check, he found a lock had been cut that secured a back area to the business. The officer also found an unlocked door to the inside of the business. The officer did not find any criminal activity inside the building. The police department contacted the building owner and advised him of the cut lock.

CHECK FRAUD

A Holste Road resident called police at 2:05 p.m. Feb. 3, to report someone had attempted to pose as him and cash two fraudulent checks at two banks in Chicago. The person tried to cash a bad check at one bank for $43,000 and a $38,000 check at another bank. Both banks denied the transactions, but the person was able to walk out before any police were called.

RETAIL THEFT
The loss prevention staff at a grocery store in the 800 block of Willow Road called police at 2:31 p.m. Feb. 6, to report they had a customer acting suspicious while ordering large amounts of lunch meat at the deli counter. The customer placed the items in his basket and continued to shop. When he walked to the self-check out, he never scanned the deli meat, just a few of the small items he bought. The staff followed him outside to confront him. As soon as they identified themselves, the person ran from them. The officer checked the area, but the person was gone.

VANDALISM

A citizen called police at 10:28 p.m. Feb. 6, to report someone threw several pieces of cheese and milk over his car while it was parked in front of a store in the 1900 block of Willow Road. He said he didn't know who may have done it.