Multiple Cases Of Unemployment Fraud Reported: Northbrook 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.

INCIDENTS

RETAIL THEFT

• A person called police on March 11 and reported an employee at Nordstrom Rack on the 100 block of Skokie Road was issuing fraudulent refunds to their personal credit card accounts for merchandise they did not return.
• A complainant reported on March 17 that three people entered the Neiman Marcus on the 1400 block of Lake Cook Road. Two of the male suspects approached store associates while the third removed a white colored “puffer” jacket from a mannequin on display. The suspects then ran to a waiting vehicle that was in the parking lot and fled. The incident was reported at 5:24 p.m., according to police.
• A person at the Art Post Gallery on the 900 block of Willow Road reported that three people, one being an older man with an accent, entered the store. The two other people walked around the store and gallery area looking at various items. When the complainant stepped away to take a phone call, they returned to where the suspects were and saw an open space where a picture had previously been hanging prior to the suspects leaving.

THEFT

A complainant reported that a Rolex watch was missing and taken by an unknown person sometime between March 6 and 9.

IDENTITY THEFT

Officers completed five reports on March 16 around 11:00 p.m. from residents who reported that they received correspondence from the Illinois Department of Employment Security that their information had been used to file for unemployment benefits which they did not apply for.

SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES

A complainant reported they received a "debit type card" in the mail for an “IRS for Economic
Impact” payment that they believe is a scam on March 16.

ORDINANCE VIOLATION

A person standing with a small fire going and a can of beer in their hand was issued a local ordinance violation. Fire Department personnel were able to extinguish the small fire. The violation took place at Village Green Park on March 12 at 11:17 p.m.

HARASSMENT

• A complainant reported on March 16 they have received numerous text messages from a known person regarding their past relationship.
• A person reported that, while working at the Northbrook Racquet Club on Dundee Road, an unknown man subject grabbed them in an unwanted fashion and made rude comments towards them.

CRIMINAL DEFACEMENT

• A complainant reported two graffiti markings placed on the building at the 1800 block of Stanley Street at 9:40 p.m. on March 12 by unknown people.
• New graffiti was reported on March 14 at 8:43 p.m. on a concrete dividing wall at Floral Park by unknown subject(s).

CRIMINAL DAMAGE VEHICLE

Sometime over the weekend of March 15, someone damaged a van that is owned by Vogue Furniture on the 4100 block of Dundee Road, according to a complainant.

ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE

A person reported that someone caused a dent on the passenger door of their vehicle on March 15 while it was parked at the Lifetime Fitness on Skokie Boulevard between 4:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

UNWANTED SUBJECT

Officers assisted Metra Police in escorting an intoxicated person from a train on March 12 at 5:17 a.m. The subject departed the Metra Station on Shermer Road without incident.

ARRESTS

NO DRIVER'S LICENSE

Antonia Garcia, 24, was processed and released after posting bond for multiple charges including speeding, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, improper lane usage and driving without a license. Garcia was stopped by an officer on a routine patrol on the 1500 block of Pfingsten Road. His bond was set at $2,500.