Domestic Disturbances, Scams: Elmhurst Cops

ELMHURST, IL – In the last few days, Elmhurst police handled cases involving domestic disputes, scams, missing money, a stolen bicycle, a car fire, stolen comics and a suspicious person. Here is information from the latest Elmhurst police reports:

Domestic disturbances

• A domestic disturbance occurred about 1 a.m. Friday in the 900 block of Hillcrest Avenue. The suspect related the argument was verbal, with nothing physical. He denied making threatening gestures or comments. Because of conflicting statements and no signs of an injury, no arrests were made.
• A second domestic disturbance in the 900 block of Hillcrest Avenue occurred about 10 p.m. Saturday. A person told police that during an argument, another person lightly chest-bumped him. The other person said the conflict was only verbal. Because of conflicting accounts and no signs of injury, no arrests were made. The police report did not say whether the two disputes were at the same house, but officers have been regularly responding to calls on this block.
• A request for medics was made about 8 p.m. Sunday in the 300 block of Sunnyside Avenue. Yelling was heard in the background. The first person said she may have tapped the other person on the arm as she attempted to make her way outside. The second person said everything was fine and did not with to speak with officers. Because of conflicting statements and no signs of injury, no arrests were made.

Scams

• A person in the 100 block of North Palmer Drive told police that someone called Friday to inform him that the person’s sister was being held hostage. The caller demanded ransom money through a Western Union transfer. The person did not send any money. The victim’s sister went to the police station, proving she was safe and that the phone call was a scam.
• A resident in the 700 block of Saylor Avenue told police that she received a suspicious email from a person purporting to be with PayPal on Thursday. The victim contacted the suspect on the phone and was told to wire transfer money to a bank account in Thailand. The victim complied and transmitted money. The suspect continued to contact the victim, demanding additional money. The victim contacted her bank and was told she had been the victim of fraud.
• A resident in the 900 block of Hillcrest Avenue told police Saturday that another person sent her a suspicious text message from a “spoof” phone number. The person denied sending the text message. The two people were advised to avoid each other.
• A resident in the 300 block of Ridge Avenue told police Thursday that someone who posed as her cousin instructed her to purchase a Google Play gift card. The victim bought the card.

Missing money

• A resident in the 100 block of South Villa Avenue told police Thursday that he had noticed cash had been going missing from a dresser drawer Feb. 1. The victim was able to determine who had been removing the cash. The suspect admitted to stealing the money. The victim did not want to press charges.

Bicycle stolen

• An unlocked black Jet Generate BMX bicycle was stolen between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. Wednesday in the 500 block of Mitchell Avenue.

Stun gun found at store

• An employee discovered a stun gun about 5 p.m. Thursday while sorting donated items at the Goodwill Store, 675 W. North Ave. The stun gun was placed into evidence for destruction.

Repeat thief?

• The Get Bazzy store, 152 N. York St., told police that a person who has previously stolen from the business may have committed another theft at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. The suspect denied committing Thursday’s theft. She was given a no-trespass notice. Her mother was satisfied.

Youthful ruckus

• A youth was seen climbing a light post and then pulling down a street sign at Willow and First about 11 p.m. Thursday. The suspect was with a group of about 10 to 15 youths, who ran away south over the railroad tracks.

On the roof

• Police got a call that two people were on the roof of Wagner Community Center about 8 p.m. Friday. Officers found two youths on the roof and called the fire department to bring them down. The youths were referred to the Peer Jury program. They were released to their parents.

Fugitive driver

• An officer tried to stop a driver who had committed several traffic violations about 1 a.m. Saturday at St. Charles and Route 83. The driver sped away.

Comics stolen

• Gem Comics, 125 W. First St., told police that four comic books went missing from a display case between 11:30 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. Saturday. The display case had been forced open.

Car fire

• A car was fully engulfed in flames about 1 a.m. Sunday in the 800 block of Van Auken Street. Firefighters put it out. An officer contacted the vehicle owner and told her the car was towed away.

Air conditioner stolen

• An air conditioning unit was stolen from a vacant residence between March 1 and June 11 in the 500 block of South Edgewood Avenue.

Suspicious person

• A man told police that he saw a man pulling on a rear door handle of a work van at 3 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of his business. When questioned by the owner, the suspect said he was meeting someone for work. The suspect entered a dark, older model Chevrolet Tahoe (possibly with tinted windows) and left north on York Street. The victim’s rear window in the cargo area was smashed, but appeared to be missing from inside the van. The suspect was described as black, 27 years old, 6-foot-3, having a thin build and medium complexion, and wearing shorts.