Resident Wires $3K To Mexican Bank In Scam: 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

WARRANT

Andrew J. Ginster, of Vernon Hills, had an active warrant out of Vernon Hills and was arrested at 3:14 p.m. Feb. 25, at Lake Cook Road and Skokie Boulevard. He was taken into custody and was given a court date of March 8.

VIOLATION OF SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION

Quincy C. Ray, of Waukegan, is accused of improper use of registration, no valid registration, revoked driver's license, violation of sex offender registration, and was arrested at 8:40 p.m. Feb. 26, at Dundee and Sanders roads. Police learned Ray had not registered as a sex offender since 2018. A court date was pending at the time of the report.

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

• Cesar J. Mendoza Hernandez, of Wheeling, is accused of speeding (95+mph in a 40 mph zone), driving under the influence, aggravated driving under the influence, operation of an uninsured motor vehicle, and was arrested at 11:46 p.m. Feb. 26, in the 300 block of S. Waukegan Road. A court date of April 10 was assigned.
• Johnathon Novak, of Hampshire, is accused of driving under the influence, driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol concentration level of .08 or more, illegal transportation of alcohol, and was arrested at 12:27 a.m. Feb. 27, in the 300 block of S. Waukegan Road. A court date of April 4 was assigned.

LAST WEEK'S BLOTTER: Caretaker Accused Of Exploiting Elderly

INCIDENTS

ATTEMPTED RETAIL THEFT

Loss prevention at a retail store flagged down a police officer on patrol at 1:33 p.m. Feb. 24, in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard. An employee told police a man used a cutting tool to disable the anti-theft devices on several products. When the subject realized he was being watched, he dropped the items and fled the store. The subject was never located by the officer.

THEFT

• A citizen called police at 6:13 p.m. Feb. 24, to report someone stole his earphones for phone while he was working out in a health club in the 1100 block of Skokie Boulevard.
• A customer at a retail store in the 1400 block of Lake Cook Road reported at 12:19 p.m. Feb. 25, someone had stolen her wallet while she was shopping. The store’s staff reviewed the surveillance footage and saw a subject pick up the wallet and walk out of the store. The staff is working with the officer to identify the subject.

ASSISTING ANOTHER AGENCY

At 12:58 p.m. Feb. 25, the Northbrook Police Department assisted Illinois State Police with searching for a vehicle and subject involved in a fatal accident in the 3300 block of Willow Road. The vehicle was located at Willow and Landwehr roads. The officers and the K-9 unit found the offender at a nearby gas station. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office and ISP took custody of the subject.

SPEEDING

A resident of Wheeling is accused of speeding (74 mph in a 40 mph zone) and was cited at 7:38 a.m. Feb. 25, at Pfingsten and Dundee roads. A court date of April 4 was assigned.

DECEPTIVE PRACTICE

A Forest View Drive resident called police at 2:18 p.m. Feb. 27, to report he was contacted by a person wanting to buy his time share property. During the conversation, the complainant was told to wire transfer money to a Mexican bank for fees. The complainant wire transferred over $3,000. When the subject contacted the complainant again, advising him there would be more fees, the complainant realized it was scam.

UNLAWFUL USE OF CREDIT CARD

A Manor Drive resident reported at 4:11 p.m. Feb. 27, someone used her name and credit card to make multiple online purchases. The complainant stated she still had her credit card in her possession.

BURGLARY

The owner of a business in the 1800 block of Holste Road reported at 1 a.m. Feb. 26, a man unlawfully entered his business late at night through an unlocked door. The business’s surveillance cameras recorded the subject walking around, but it is unknown what had been stolen. The subject left in a black sport utility vehicle.

RETAIL THEFT

The staff at a retail store in the 1500 block of Lake Cook Road called police at 8:21 p.m. Feb. 28, to report someone stole a beanbag from the display window of their store. The police are working with the store staff to identify the subject and make contact with him.

DEATH INVESTIGATION

A heart monitoring company requested the police and fire departments respond at 2:30 a.m. March 1, to a residence in the 2100 block of Valencia Drive to check on their customer who had showed irregular heartbeats through his home device. Once they arrived, it was determined that the resident had passed away. The officers contacted the family to make notification.

FLEE OR ELUDE

• Police stopped to assist a vehicle that pulled over on the side of the road at 7:48 p.m. March 1, at Waukegan Road and Maple Avenue. While speaking to the driver, the officer noticed a strong odor of burnt cannabis coming from the vehicle. The officer asked the driver for identification. The driver got back into his vehicle and fled the scene at a high rate of speed. The officer had negative results in stopping the driver.
• Police saw a blue motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed at 8:53 p.m. March 1, at Willow and Landwehr roads. The officer attempted to stop the motorcycle, but it fled from the officer. The motorcycle was last seen traveling around vehicles and disregarding red lights to elude the officer.