Woman Accused Of Felony Financial Exploitation: 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

DRIVING WHILE LICENSE SUSPENDED

Timothy N. Sawczuk, 36, of the 2000 block of Walnut Circle, Northbrook, is accused of driving while license suspended, improper lane usage, uninsured vehicle, and was arrested Oct. 9 at Waukegan and Shermer roads. He was released on $2,500 bond, and he was assigned a court date of Nov. 23 in Skokie.

FINANCIAL CRIME

Halisa Oba, 48, of the 800 block of W Grace Street, Chicago, is accused of one felony count of financial exploitation of an elderly person, one felony count of unlawful use of a credit card, and was arrested following an investigation after the matter was reported in September at 3:52 p.m. Sept. 28 in the 2200 block of Founders. Oba was assigned a court date of Oct. 20.

RETAIL THEFT

Giselle A. Bethke, 33, of the 2300 block of Iroquois Road, Wilmette, is accused of felony retail theft, and was arrested at 1:38 p.m. Oct. 13 at Ulta Cosmetics, 900 block of Willow Road. An employee observed Bethke conceal numerous items in her purse, then left the store without paying for them. The merchandise was valued at $1,000. She was assigned a court date of Dec. 2.

INCIDENTS

THEFT BY DECEPTION

A Dunhill Court resident reported at 8:47 p.m. Oct. 8 that they had contact with someone who claimed to be a representative of Apple care regarding an issue with their phone. The representative stated that they needed to gain remote access to the complainant’s phone. The subject then informed the complainant that they needed to purchase $6,000 in gift cards to complete the repair, which complainant did. The complainant then contacted their bank and learned that this was a scam.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCE

• A Milton Road resident called police at 7:02 p.m. Oct. 9 to report that they had listed an item for sale on Craigslist. They stated that they were contacted via email that a person wished to purchase the item. This person then sent a payment in two separate checks for more than the agreed upon price. The complainant did not cash the checks or send the item because they recognized this as a scam.
• A resident in the 3500 block of Dauphine reported 2:11 p.m. Oct. 15 that they have been receiving packages which they have not ordered. The complainant believes that this is some type of phishing attempt.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

• An officer found spray paint on a sign at 10:31 p.m. Oct. 10 and lights that were not illuminated at Walters Avenue and Shermer Road.
• An officer found spray paint on a sign at 11:40 p.m. Oct. 11 at Walters Avenue and Shermer Road.
• A person reported between 6-9 p.m. Oct. 12 that someone defaced a toilet seat and walls with a marker in the 1800 block of Walters Avenue.
• A person called police at 11:07 p.m. Oct. 13 to report someone slightly bent a metal part of a sign at Walters Avenue and Shermer Road.

THEFT

• A resident in the 2300 block of Dundee Road reported at 1:24 p.m. Oct. 10 two signs were taken by someone from their front lawn.
• A resident in the 2300 block of Dundee Road called police at 2:32 p.m. Oct. 13 to report during the overnight hours, two signs were taken again from their front yard.

VANDALISM

• A person called police on Oct. 10 to report a board was placed on a sign at Walters Avenue and Shemer Road.
• A person reported at 9:10 p.m. Oct. 12 that they saw two women defacing a sign at Walters Avenue and Shermer Road.

IDENTITY THEFT

A Techny Road resident called police at 9:32 a.m. Oct. 12 to report someone opened a bank account using their information without their permission.

RETAIL THEFT

An employee at Ulta Cosmetics, 900 block of Willow Road, reported at 2:24 p.m. Oct. 12 that on Oct. 7 and Oct. 9, a man and two women were seen concealing various merchandise then leaving the store.

SUSPICIOUS PERSON

A resident in the 400 block of Voltz Road called police at 7:44 p.m. Oct. 12 to report that they heard a noise and observed an unknown male holding a phone looking inside a window of the residence. The male ran away from the residence when the complainant yelled at them.

FRAUD

An Indian Wells resident reported at 2:03 p.m. Oct. 15 that they have received messages from their bank that someone was attempting to cash checks in their name without permission after having their computer hacked.

RECENT NORTHBROOK POLICE BLOTTER REPORTS

• Man With Gun Makes Threats At Cadillac Dealership: Blotter for Oct. 2-7, 2020
• Handgun Battery Incident At Gathering; Dog Scam: Blotter for Sept. 24-Oct. 1, 2020

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