Scammer Gets $12K To Clear Porn Off Computer: 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 DRIVER'S LICENSE

Thomas W. Molony, of Oak Park, is accused of operating an electronic device while driving, driving while license suspended, and was arrested at 10:40 p.m. March 8, in the 2700 block of Patriot Drive. Police said they saw Molony watching a video being played on his phone while the car was in motion. A court date of April 18 was assigned.

LAST WEEK'S BLOTTER: Laptop, Ipad Stolen After Truck Window Smashed — Northbrook PD Blotter

INCIDENTS

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

• A resident in the 1200 block of Country Lane reported the family had left the house at around 10 a.m. March 8. When they returned home, they realized someone forced open the rear door and stole money and jewelry from inside the house.
• A resident in the 1100 block of Willow Lane called police at 5:53 p.m. March 8, to report someone gained access into their house through a rear sliding door. The person stole various jewelry throughout the house.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

A reality company called police at 3:45 p.m. March 8, to report two signs in front of a client's house were damaged and removed from the ground in the 1700 block of Dundee Road. The company staff had no idea who might be responsible.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE

A resident in the 1900 block of Old Willow Road reported at 5:33 p.m. March 8, three unknown people threw rocks at her vehicle, causing the windshield to crack. The trio ran from the scene.

FLEEING AND ELUDING

Police saw a dark-colored Jeep traveling at a high rate of speed and erratically at 3:14 a.m. March 10, at Skokie Boulevard and Dundee Road. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the vehicle fled from police. When the officer checked on the license plate, he learned the plate was stolen out of Waukegan about a year ago.

The staff at a retail store in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard reported at 5:07 p.m. March 11, a customer was returning items and attempting to purchase other items. During the transaction, the customer handed the cashier a $100 bill for the sale. The customer kept interrupting the cashier's work with conversation and questions. After the customer left, they noticed the cash drawer was $100 short. They reviewed the video surveillance and noticed when the customer was distracting the teller, he took back the $100 without her knowing.

RECOVERED STOLEN VEHICLE

A complainant called police at 5:12 a.m. March 12, to report they saw several people park a 2022 Kia in a restaurant parking lot earlier in the 4000 block of Lake Cook Road. The group then got into a waiting Dodge Durango and fled the scene at a high rate of speed. The complainant could see wires hanging from the dashboard of the red Kia, which he suspected it might have been stolen. Once the officers arrived, they confirmed the vehicle was stolen from an Antioch car dealership just hours before.

COMPUTER FRAUD SCAM

A compliant reported at 5:45 p.m. March 12, while using their work computer, they saw a window pop up telling her to call a phone number because her computer was hacked in the 900 block of Skokie Boulevard. She called the number and spoke to a person that said her computer had pornography on it and she needed to withdraw money from her bank to clear up the problem. The complainant withdrew $12,000 from her bank, and per the instructions, brought that money to an ATM to transfer it into Bitcoin. After the complainant transferred the money to the person via Bitcoin, he told her to purchase 20 $500 gift cards at an Apple store. The complainant only could purchase five gift cards and she provided the gift card numbers to the subject over the phone. Lastly, the person told her to drive to a Home Depot and purchase $10,000 in gift cards. The complainant then realized this was a scam and drove to the police department.

BURGLARY TO VEHICLE

A complainant reported at 9:27 a.m. March 14, someone had gained entry to his 2017 red Mitsubishi in the 900 block of Skokie Boulevard and stole his wallet, which contained his ID and several credit cards.