Police Blotter: Sweepstakes Scam, Battle Royale in the Basement

MONDAY, JULY 16

On Televisions and Warrants

Michael B. Smith, 28, of the 400 block of West 16th Street, was arrested after police saw him near the intersection of 16th Street and Division Street carrying a plastic bag containing a flat-screen television, according to the report. Smith told police he was taking the TV to Cash America to pawn it, but could not provide confirmation as to where he got it. Police then discovered Smith had multiple Knox County warrants on robbery, aggravated battery and aggravated criminal sexual assault charges and took him into custody, according to the report.

The Low-Key Option

An 84-year-old Chicago Heights man told police he and his wife received a phone call on July 15 from a man saying they had won $500,000 in a New York sweepstakes. The caller told the couple he wanted to set up delivery of the money for July 16 at 2:30 p.m., according to the report. He then asked if the couple wanted "all the fanfare or to remain low-key," according to the report. The man chose the low-key option and the call was ended, police said. The man notified police when the delivery never arrived, according to the report.

Attempted Pawn

A 61-year-old Chicago Heights woman told police someone removed her Sony Playstation 3 and Nintendo Wii video game consoles from her basement sometime between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on July 14. The woman told police she suspected a family member because there were no signs of forced entry in the house. The woman also said she went to a local pawn shop and found out someone tried to pawn her property but the shop did not want the games, according to the report. 

Domestic Battery

Erick Williams, 48, of the 300 block of West Hickory, was arrested and charged with domestic battery after a relative told police he came down to the basement of their home, "high on cocaine and highly intoxicated," and began yelling at her and two other women. During the argument Williams punched two of the women in the face with a closed fist and threw the third woman over a couch, according to the police report. After wrestling with one of the woman, a television fell off the wall and hit Williams in the head, according to the report. All three women refused medical treatment.

Heavy Breathing

A 23-year-old Chicago Heights woman told police she answered a phone call around 11 a.m. and heard nothing but heavy breathing before the mystery caller hung up. The woman called the number back three times but only heard heavy breathing each time, according to the report. She then text messaged the number and got a lewd response, police said. The caller was never identified.

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