Swatting Caller Claims They Shot Family: 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

RETAIL THEFT

• Graham E. Lowenthal, of Oak Park, is accused of retail theft, and was arrested at 2:41 p.m. Dec. 9, at a grocery store in the 800 block of Willow Road. The staff at the store recognized Lowenthal because he had reportedly stolen things there in the past. On this day, he placed several items, valued at $400, into a bag and attempted to leave the store without paying. A court date of Jan. 25 was assigned.
• Akanksha Vir, of Buffalo Grove, is accused of retail theft, and was arrested at 2:07 p.m. Dec. 12, in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard. The staff at a retail store said Vir grabbed clothing and various toiletries, and walked out of the store without paying for them. A court date of Feb. 20, 2024, was assigned.

BATTERY

Martin S. Kremser, of Northbrook, is accused of battery, and was arrested at 10:16 a.m. Dec. 10, in the 1900 block of Cherry Lane. Police said the complainant told them they had been approached by Kresmer due to a parking issue. The complainant moved their vehicle and attempted to walk away from Kremser, but Kremser continued to argue and began saying racial slurs at him. During the confrontation, Kremser struck the complainant in the back of the head. The complainant did not need any medical assistance. A court date of Jan. 8, 2024, was assigned.

LAST WEEK'S BLOTTER: 300 Pounds Of Copper Stolen At Restaurant Site — Northbrook PD Blotter

INCIDENTS

SWATTING CALL

Police received a call at 7:41 p.m. Dec. 9, from an individual claiming they had shot their mother and sister. The caller claimed he was still in the residence and still had the weapon. As officers arrived at the residence, they noticed the family inside appeared to be fine, and everything was normal. After creating a perimeter around the house, they called the family and they indicated they were alright. Police believe it must have been a swatting call.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

Two Yorkville residents are accused of criminal damage to property and were arrested at 10:18 p.m. Dec. 12, in the 1300 block of Techny Road. Police responded to a burglar alarm located at an abandoned office building. They saw two subjects attempting to flee the area in a vehicle. The officers stopped the vehicle and spoke to the occupants, who admitted to breaking a window to get into the building to fulfill a TikTok challenge. Both were charged with criminal damage to property. A court date of Dec. 29 was assigned.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

A resident int he 1900 block of Thornwood Lane reported at 7:36 p.m. Dec. 13, someone had broke into his residence and stole some jewelry from the bedroom. The complainant believed the subject entered through an unlocked window.

THEFT

A complainant called police at 12:19 p.m. Dec. 14, to report they had placed their wallet in a locker at a fitness facility in the 1100 block of Skokie Boulevard. He left the locker open when he went to fill his water bottle. While working out, he received texts from his credit card company indicating someone was attempting to purchase large amounts of transactions at a local department store. He then noticed someone had stolen his credit card out of his locker.