Winnetka Man Spits On Officer During Arrest: Northbrook Police 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

BATTERY

• Vincent Puccio, of Lake Forest, is accused of battery, and was arrested at 5:42 p.m. June 22, in the 1500 block of Lake Cook Road. According to police, Puccio allegedly arrived at an electronic store to pick up his phone that was ready after being repaired. Puccio became aggressive with the staff and started swearing at them. The security officer advised and motioned Puccio to leave the store due to his behavior. Puccio reportedly slapped the security officer and pushed him in the chest. A court date of July 20 was assigned.
• Elvis P. Premti, of Winnetka, is accused of aggravated battery to a police officer, illegal possession of another's credit card and ID, and was arrested at 6:04 p.m. June 24, in the 900 block of Willow Road. According to police, the management of a retail store contacted the police department because of a subject who appeared to be intoxicated, just outside the store. The officers located Premti, who was drinking an alcoholic beverage. Premti reportedly showed signs of intoxication and appeared to be agitated at the manager and officers. Premti, during his tirade, allegedly raised the bottle in his hand to threaten the store manager. Premti was taken into custody. During the arrest, Premti allegedly spit on the officer’s face and neck. After the officers searched Premti, they found someone else’s identification and credit cards in his pocket. The officers contacted the owner of the identification and credit cards. He had reported them missing and never gave Premti permission to have them. A court date of July 5 was assigned.

UNLAWFUL USE OF A WEAPON

• Gabrielle E. Fox, of Chicago, is accused of unlawful use of a weapon, speeding (60 mph in a 40 mph zone), and was arrested at 9:56 p.m. June 22, at Lake Cook and Avon roads. According to police, Fox was pulled over for speeding and was found to have an active warrant out of DuPage County for traffic charges. While in custody, police discovered an illegal conducted energy device, or stun gun, in her purse. She also reportedly did not have a valid FOID card. A court date of July 18 was assigned for the Northbrook charges. Fox posted cash bond for the DuPage County warrant.
• Jamal I. Rufus, of Waukegan, is accused of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, and was arrested at 5:42 p.m. June 26, in the 800 block of Waukegan Road. During a search of Rufus's car, the officers located a loaded Canik 9MM handgun inside the vehicle. Neither person in the car had a valid FOID card to legally possess the firearm. Rufus was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. A court date had not been set at the time of the report.

LAST WEEK'S BLOTTER: Thief Steals 12 Cases Of Beer From Store

INCIDENTS

IDENTITY THEFT

• A Waukegan Road resident called police at 10:12 a.m. June 24, to report someone took out a line of credit with a credit card company utilizing his name in August 2022 in the amount of $2992.07 without his authorization.
• An Old Post Road resident reported at 1:06 p.m. June 25, someone created a bank account using his personal information. The bank froze the suspect’s account, and the complainant placed a freeze on his credit.

THEFT FROM VEHICLE

• A complainant called police at 8:50 a.m. June 27, to report someone stole the license plates off one of their company trucks during the overnight hours in the 400 block of Huehl Road.
• A complainant reported at 7:30 a.m. June 28, someone stole the catalytic converter from the company's 2013 white Ford while it was parked in front of the business in the 1900 block of Raymond Drive. Their surveillance camera captured the crime at 4:26 a.m.
• The management staff at a recreation building in the 2700 block of Techny Road reported at that during the overnight hours of June 28, someone stole the catalytic converters from two of their vehicles, both 2013 white Ford buses.

FLEE AND ELUDE

A retail theft suspect and vehicle from another jurisdiction were seen driving around the area of Pfingsten Road and Prince Street at 1:39 p.m. June 29. An officer noticed the license plates were suspended. The officer activated his emergency lights and stopped the vehicle. Just as the officer got out of the squad car, the driver fled at a high rate of speed.