'Swatting' Call Hints Explosives At Mall: Northbrook Police Blotter

Editor's Note: One or more names in this report have been redacted in light of additional documentation provided regarding this case.

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

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Evan J. Fair, of Buffalo Grove, is accused of having a suspended registration, revoked driver's license, an active warrant out of Lake County for driving under the influence, and was arrested at 8:19 a.m. March 5, at Dundee and Midway roads. A court date for the Northbrook charges of March 22 was assigned.

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LAST WEEK'S BLOTTER: Resident Wires $3K To Mexican Bank In Scam

INCIDENTS

COMPUTER FRAUD

A Chapel Court resident reported at 2:30 p.m. March 3, her computer stopped working and a phone number appeared on the screen to call if she needed assistance. After calling the number, the subject on the phone told her to send $6,000 in Bitcoin from her account as well as a $2,500 gift card to them. After sending the money, the complainant realized it was a scam.

SWATTING CALL

The Northbrook Police Department received a call from the crime tip internet service at 4:20 p.m. March 5. The tip indicated that someone was responding to a set of retail shops at Northbrook Court, 1500 block of Lake Cook Road, with explosives. Officers were in the area and worked with private security to stay in the area while shoppers left the stores. Multiple agencies responded to assist. After several hours, it was determined that no threat was arriving at the mall. Investigators are working with the internet tip line to determine where the "swatting" call originated.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY

Police responded to a residence in the 1200 block of Glenoak Lane at 7:05 p.m. March 5, due to a burglar alarm that was activated. Once they arrived, they found two windows that were smashed, but it appeared no one was able to make entry. The officers contacted the homeowner.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

A resident in the 2500 block of Crabtree Lane reported at 10:58 a.m. March 6, someone gained access to her residence when she was gone for over two hours. A room was ransacked, but it is unknown what was taken.

STOLEN AUTO

A citizen reported at 5:22 a.m. March 7, they had parked their 2007 Honda Pilot in front of a convenient store in the 1500 block of Shermer Road and left it running while she went inside to purchase an item. When she returned, she noticed an unknown subject had stolen her vehicle. Approximately two hours later, the vehicle was recovered in Evanston.

BURGLARY TO VEHICLE

A resident in the 3300 block of Lakeside Avenue called police on March 7 to report that during the overnight hours, someone entered her two vehicles — 2006 Honda Odyssey and 2008 Nissan Rouge — that were left unlocked overnight in front of the house. Two wallets and their contents were taken.

THEFT

Two separate complainants called police on March 9 to report their wallets were taken from their purses while shopping at various stores in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard. Their credit cards were later used at a retail store by an unknown subject.