Scammers With White House Address, Mailbox Fireworks: Northbrook Crimes

NORTHBROOK, IL — The following information comes from the Northbrook Police Department as a record of incidents reported to the police and a list of those arrested. All persons named are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

IDENTITY THEFT
On July 1 at 3:18 p.m., a resident in the 2000 block of Audrey Lane reported someone opened a fraudulent account in their name. The account was cancelled, credit reporting agencies were notified and an identity theft affidavit was signed.

FRAUD
A resident of the 1100 block of Cayuga Drive reported on July 1 around 6:30 p.m. that they had received a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS. The resident went along with the caller’s instructions to buy pre-paid debit cards and provided the serial numbers to the scammers. In an attempt to legitimize the scam the victim was instructed to mail the spent debit cards to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (the White House’s Washington D.C. street address).

BURGLARY
An employee of a business in the 900 block of Skokie Boulevard discovered someone had forced entry after reviewing surveillance footage. It was reported to police on July 3 at 5:40 a.m., and there was no immediate report of any loss.

BURGLARY
An employee in the 2100 block of Shermer Road discovered the power had been turned off and two drawers in an officer had been tampered with after responding to the business at 8:45 a.m. on July 3. There was nothing reported missing.

FORGERY
An employee in the 3500 block of Commercial Avenue reported numerous fraudulent checks had been written on a payroll account between March 1 and June 14.

RETAIL THEFT
Two men or boys entered the Nordstrom Rack in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard and ran out with four pairs of men's designer shoes. The estimated loss was $1,400.

THEFT
A resident in the 4100 block of Dundee road reported on July 3 at 3:35 p.m. that they had lost their wallet. Police were told it was returned to a business by someone with some money missing.

STOLEN VEHICLE
A black 2006 automobile was reported stolen the morning of July 4 from the 3800 block of Brittany Road. Police were told the keys had been left inside.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE
A resident in the 2500 block of St. Stephens Green reported seeing five boys lighting fireworks in the area. The group of white juveniles put fireworks in the mailbox of a resident, police were told shortly after midnight on July 4. Responding officers check the area but did not find anyone.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
A resident in the 2300 block of Cambridge Drive reported on July 5 at 10:23 a.m. that a window on their shed had been shattered. It appeared, based on surveillance cameras in the resident’s back yard, the damage had been caused by fireworks. The caller told police video footage showed a bright light around 11:15 p.m. on July 2 but no people were visible in the footage.

ARRESTS

DUI
Brent J. Miller, 30, of the 500 block of Chapel Street in Ottawa, was arrested on July 2 at 2:19 a.m. He was charged with driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level above 0.08 after a caller reported an erratic driver to the police. The caller witnessed the driver park near the intersection of Meadow Road and Big Oak Lane and remained in the area watching the vehicle until police arrived.

TRESPASS TO VEHICLE
Eddie Nelson Ramos, 47, of the 2900 block of North Avers Avenue in Chicago, was arrested July 5 at 12:17 a.m. in the 2100 block of Founders Drive. He was charged with trespassing to a vehicle and driving with a suspended license after Northbrook police pulled him over for a traffic offense. He first identified himself as the registered owner of the vehicle and told police he did not have his license with him. Ramos then admitted he was not the registered owner. Officers contacted the vehicle’s owner, who told them Ramos had taken his car without permission earlier in the day and had not returned it. The owner wished to press charges.

DUI
William T. Green, 55, of the 900 block of Columbus in New York City, was arrested on July 5 at 12:40 a.m. at the intersection of Techny and Shermer roads. He was charged with driving under the influence, improper lane use, no insurance and having a blood alcohol content above 0.8.

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