Thief Damaged Vending Machine to Steal $20: Cops

The following information is from the Northbrook Police Department. An arrest is not an indication of guilt.

CREDIT CARD FRAUD

A store employee called to report that fraudulent credit cards had been used to make purchases in their store in the 1700 block of Lake Cook Road on October 22. Officers reviewed the store videotape that showed an offender in his late 20’s, long black hair, white baseball cap, dark jacket made a purchase for about $865.45. A second offender in his late 20’s, short black hair, dark gray/black hooded sweatshirt made two purchases totaling $1,130.44. The offenders were observed entering the store together but later split up with one offender remaining on the first floor and the second going to an upper level of the store.

SUSPENDED DRIVER’S LICENSE

Luis Alberto, 24, Chicago was stopped at Willow and Landwehr roads at 4:16 a.m. on October 25 and cited for driving while suspended. Officers stopped the defendant’s vehicle after observing it commit a traffic violation.

BURGLARY

A complainant in the 1400 block of Skokie Highway reported at some point over the weekend from October 23-26 offenders broke the handle on the construction trailer and stole a hammer drill and a band saw. The combined value of the equipment is approximately $600.

CREDIT CARD FRAUD

A victim was notified by her bank that her credit card was used in Northbrook to make purchases without her authorization. She reported that she recently used the card out of state and that the transactions in Northbrook occurred a few days later. Officers are investigating.

IDENTITY THEFT

A victim reported on October 26 receiving billing statements from TJMaxx and Kohl’s totaling $1,639.11. The statements show purchases made in several out of state cities. The victim reported that she never opened any accounts with either business.

THEFT FROM VENDING MACHINE

The complainant, the vending machine owner, reported at 8:46 a.m. on October 28 that an offender damaged a vending machine in the basement of a building in the 800 block of Skokie Boulevard and stole $20 from the machine. The complainant estimated it would cost $25 to repair. The theft occurred sometime after 3 p.m. on October 27.

DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED

Jose Ruben Hernandez-Juarez, 24, Waukegan was stopped following a crash at Dundee Road and Skokie Highway at 2:31 p.m. on October 29 and cited for driving while license suspended and following too closely.