'Handyman' Defrauds Older Resident, Steals $25K In Checks: Police

PALOS PARK, IL — A Joliet man who posed as a handyman is being held on felony charges, accused of financially exploiting an elderly resident, Palos Park police said. Sergio Arreguin-Baruch, 41, is facing felony bank fraud charges.

Arreguin-Baruch posed as a handyman and gained the woman’s the trust, police said. In early February, the woman noticed numerous checks missing the back of her check books, which were kept in her home.

Over the course of a year, police said nearly $25,000 in checks were withdrawn from the resident’s checking account, and made payable to "Sergio Arreguin-Baruch.”

Investigators gathered digital and video evidence. The Joliet man was taken into custody Wednesday morning by Palos Park investigators and Joliet police.

Arreguin-Baruch is set for a bond hearing Thursday in Bridgeview.