Rental Car Stolen, Thousands In Fraudulent Purchases: Winnetka Crimes

WINNETKA, IL — The following information comes from the Winnetka Police Department as a record of police activity and those arrested by the police. Readers are reminded that an arrest is not an indication of guilt and criminal charges can be dropped or reduced. Everyone is presumed innocent unless they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

INCIDENTS

CRIMINAL DAMAGE

A resident in the 500 block of Willow Road discovered that someone removed yard lights and damaged a fence during the overnight hours of Aug. 20-21.

THEFT

On Aug. 21, a resident in the 500 block of Winnetka Avenue discovered that someone removed a wrought iron table from a residence for a loss of $500.

THEFT (BY DECEPTION)

On the morning of Aug. 23, an employee of a women's clothing store in the 500 block of Chestnut Street reported that an unidentified customer had used a credit card under fraudulent circumstances to purchase more than $5,000 worth of items from the store.

STOLEN CAR

Sometime during the overnight hours on Aug. 23-24, someone took a rental vehicle from a driveway in the 900 block of Private Road. The unlocked vehicle had the keys inside, as well as a backpack containing two laptops, a driver's license and a wallet.

CAR BURGLARY

Sometime during the overnight hours on Aug. 23-24, someone stole a wallet and some gift cards from an unlocked vehicle parked in the 800 block of Sheridan Road. The reported loss was $350.

THEFT

A resident in the 900 block of Lake Street reported that sometime between July 17 and Aug. 24, someone used a bank debit cards to make numerous unauthorized purchases for a loss of $1,092.44.

CAR BURGLARY

A resident of the 1200 block of Tower Road reported that someone entered two unlocked cars parked in the driveway and removed sunglasses, a gym bag, change, keys and Winnetka Park District passes for a loss of $256.

ARRESTS

THEFT

Vito J. Cozzo, 53, of the 4100 block of North Clarendon Avenue in Chicago, was arrested for theft on Aug. 22 in the 700 block of Elm Street in connection with two earlier incidents. Police did not disclose what he has accused of stealing or whether it was above or below $500.

SUSPENDED LICENSE

A 63-year-old Chicago man was arrested on Aug. 25 in the 200 block of Hibbard Road and charged with driving with a suspended driver's license. He was also issued a citation for speeding.

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