Resident Loses $97K In Crypto Theft: 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

NO VALID DRIVER'S LICENSE

Romel Raaz Ponce, of Cicero, is accused of having a suspended registration, no valid driver's license, operation of an uninsured motor vehicle, and was arrested at 9:39 p.m. June 7, at Landwehr Road and Walters Avenue. A court date of July 17 was assigned.

RETAIL THEFT

Police responded to a cosmetics store in the 900 block of Willow Road at 3:55 p.m. June 10, for a retail theft in progress. The store staff said three people entered the store and stole several perfume bottles, totaling $2,000. The trio fled in a green Chevrolet Prism driven by a fourth person. Officers located the car and stopped it. The following people were arrested:

• Pedro S. Izquiel-Omana, of Chicago
• Cesar G. Acosta Monry, of Chicago
• Romer M. Yanez Marino, of Chicago

They were released and assigned a court date of July 22.

SUSPENDED DRIVER'S LICENSE

Jose C. Gatica-Ramos, of Waukegan, is accused of violating a median on a divided highway, driving while license suspended, and was arrested at 12:28 p.m. June 11, at Dundee Road and Sutton Drive. Police were responding to a car crash involving Gatica-Ramos. A court date of June 28 was assigned.

SUSPENDED REGISTRATION

Jesus E. Magna Alvarez, of Wheeling, is accused of having a suspended registration, operation of an uninsured motor vehicle, and was arrested at 4:07 a.m. June 12, at Willow Road and Quail Lane. A court date of June 28 was assigned.

LAST WEEK'S BLOTTER: $75K In Collector Coins Stolen From Home — Northbrook Police Blotter

INCIDENTS

FLEEING AND ELUDING

Police responded at 2:42 p.m. June 7, to the area of Skokie Boulevard and Dundee Road where a white Chevrolet Equinox was seen that had been used in several past retail thefts. Officers saw the vehicle parked in front of a sporting goods store with an expired license plate. A person exited the store carrying a backpack and quickly got into the vehicle. As the vehicle attempted to drive away, the officers activated their emergency lights to stop the vehicle. The vehicle quickly accelerated and fled from the officers. The officers traveled back to the store to see if a crime took place, but the management said they never saw the subject steal anything.

THEFT

• A citizen reported to police at 1:31 p.m. June 8, that while walking around a grocery store in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard, someone stole her Prada wallet from her purse without her knowing. The complainant stated the purse contained $1,000.
• A citizen called police at 2:30 p.m. June 8, to report that while shopping at a department store in the 800 block of Willow Road, she noticed her Prada wallet was missing from her purse without her knowing. The complainant said the purse contained several credit cards, a social security card, and driver's license. The offender attempted to use the stolen credit cards at a computer store in Northbrook Court.
• A citizen reported at 2:38 p.m. June 10, she had been distracted by an unknown female while shopping at a grocery store in the 800 block of Willow Road. The female had asked her about produce while she left her purse unattended in her shopping cart. When she returned, she noticed her purse was open and her Gucci wallet was missing. In addition to the wallet, the complainant had two credit cards and $700 inside. The offender tried using the stolen credit cards to purchase items at another location, but the charges were denied.

RETAIL THEFT

The loss prevention staff at a retail store in the 1500 block of Lake Cook Road reported at 5:29 p.m. June 8, three people had entered the store and walked toward the perfume display. Once person concealed an Initio perfume bottle, valued at $460, and another stole a tester fragrance. All three walked out of the store without paying.

INTERNET THEFT

A Lake Placid Lane resident reported at 7:35 p.m. June 8, someone had gained access to his Crypto money account online and stole $97,000 worth of Bitcoin and Avex crypto money. The complainant didn't know how the person was able to access the account.

BURGLARY TO VEHICLES

At 8 a.m. June 8, several vehicles at two separate parking garages in private subdivisions — 100 block of The Court of Harborside and 3000 block of Pheasant Creek Drive — had been burglarized. The various items taken were money, sunglasses and tools. In all the incidents, the vehicles were left unlocked and with the ignition key/fob inside the vehicle. A total of 12 burglaries occurred.

COMMERCIAL BURGLARY

• Police responded to a burglar alarm activation at 4:01 a.m. June 11, at a liquor store in the 1800 block of Sanders Road. Upon arrival, police noticed the front window pane had been broken and several cases of high-end liquor were stolen. The surveillance footage recorded a dark-colored sport utility parked in front of the store, and at least two offenders got out to smash the front window.
• Police responded to a shopping mall in the 1400 block of Lake Cook Road at 4:41 a.m. June 11, due to a department store burglar alarm. Once they arrived, the officers found an entrance door window smashed. After checking the interior of the store, the officers noticed the offenders stole several pieces of jewelry from the display cases and clothing from the display racks.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

Police responded to a burglar alarm at 5:32 p.m. June 11 at an empty business complex in the 1300 block of Techny Road. While searching the premises, the officer's found several boards had been damaged and pried off a window. The interior was checked, but no one was inside.

IDENTITY THEFT

A Mulberry Lane resident reported at 1:57 p.m. June 12, she had received a cellphone bill in the amount of $1,200 with a carrier that she never signed a contract with. After contacting the billing entity, it was learned that someone used the complainant's name and information to make a fake cell phone account to receive service. The complainant filed the necessary paperwork with the credit bureaus.

COMPUTER SCAM

A Taylor Street resident called police at 6:17 p.m. June 13, to report they had received an email from what he thought was his club's president. The email asked him to get $300 worth of gift cards for the club. Once he purchased the gift cards, he was supposed to email pictures of the codes from the cards. The complainant completed the task and mailed the pictures of the cards. The complainant received another email asking him to get another $300 of gift cards, but from another store. The complainant carried out the task again and emailed the pictures of the cards. Afterward, the complainant realized the president’s email did not look legitimate. He called the president on the phone and realized it was a scam.