Shoplifting Call Leads To Warrant Arrest, Theft Charge: Blotters

The following information comes from the Glencoe, Kenilworth, Northfield, Wilmette and Winnetka police departments as a record of police activity and incidents reported to the police. Criminal charges merely represent accusations by the state, and county prosecutors often choose to drop or reduce them. Updated information may be available from the Cook County Clerk of the Circuit Court. Anyone arrested is innocent unless later proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

GLENCOE

INCIDENTS

IDENTITY THEFTS
The identities of eight Glencoe residents, including residents of Forest Avenue, Scott Avenue, Woodlawn Avenue, Oak Ridge Drive, Mary Street, Apple Tree Lane and Grove Street, were used to fraudulently apply for unemployment insurance benefits between Nov. 25 and and Dec. 1.

DECEPTIVE PRACTICE
A resident in the 1200 block of Longwood Lane reported that someone accessed several of their bank accounts and drained more than $25,000 prior to the morning of Nov. 26.

CAR BURGLARY
Someone broke into a car in the 200 block of Beach Road sometime prior to 9 a.m. Nov. 27 and stole a purse containing cash, checks and credit cards. One of the cards was later fraudulently used to purchase items.

ARRESTS/CITATIONS

Alejandro Espinoza, 32, of the 3200 block of North Monticello Avenue, Chicago, was arrested around 7:30 a.m. on Nov. 30 around the intersection of Green Bay Road and Park Avenue and charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a valid license. He was also issued citations for failure to signal and improper lane usage.

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KENILWORTH

INCIDENTS/ARRESTS

IDENTITY THEFT
On Nov. 15, Nov. 22 and Dec. 2, residents of Warwick, Oxford and Abbotsford roads reported someone had used their identity in an attempt to fraudulently apply for unemployment insurance benefits.

BANK FRAUD
On Dec. 3, a Greenwood Avenue resident reported discovering fraudulent bank activity using their identity. There was no monetary loss at the time of the report.

NORTHFIELD

INCIDENTS

DOG DISPUTE
A resident of the 200 block of Shadowood Lane reported around 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 23 that they were involved in an argument about a barking dog with a neighbor. Police reported both neighbors agreed to avoid contact with each other and to call the police about any future noise complaints about dogs.

IDENTITY THEFTS
On Nov. 24 and Nov. 25, four Northfield residents, including residents of Bridlewood and Drury lanes and Harding and Suffork roads, reported that someone used their identities to fraudulently file for unemployment insurance benefits.

WILMETTE

INCIDENTS

HARASSMENT
Someone at the Wilmette Post Office, 1241 Central Ave., reported on Nov. 25 that that a family member had repeatedly placed calls and sent text messages that they considered harassment.

SHOPLIFTING
Staff at the Walgreens, 3232 Lake Ave., reported that an unidentified thief stole various unspecified items from the store at some point on or before Nov. 26.

FORGERY
A representative of a business in the 3200 block of Old Glenview Road reported on Nov. 26 that someone cashed a pair of fraudulent checks against their business account.

PACKAGE THEFTS

• A resident in the 2600 block of Kenilworth Avenue reported on Nov. 26 that someone had stolen two recently delivered packages from their front porch.
• A resident in the 1200 block of Gregory Avenue reported on Oct. 29 that someone had delivered a recently delivered package.

IDENTITY THEFTS

• A resident in the 400 block of Beverly Drive reported on Nov. 26 that someone used their identity to apply for a disaster loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration.
• From Nov. 20 to Nov. 25, seven residents, including residents of 3rd Street and Schiller, Wilmette, Westwood, Lake and Woodbine avenues, reported that someone used their identities to fraudulently file for unemployment insurance benefits.

CAR BURGLARIES

• A resident in the 1000 block of Oakwood Avenue reported on Nov. 20 that someone burglarized their unlocked car. Nothing was reported stolen.
• Someone burglarized an unlocked car in the 100 block of Heather Lane around 9 p.m. on Nov. 23. Nothing was reported stolen.

ARRESTS/CITATIONS

Monica Betancourth, 31, 4838 Sheridan Road, Chicago, and Alicia Wojtowicz, 37, of of the 5400 block of 40th Street, Kenosha, were arrested around 8 a.m. on Nov. 25 following a traffic stop on Lake Avenue. Officers dispatched to the area of the Walgreens, 811 Green Bay Road, for a report that shoplifters had just fled in a car. Police pulled over a car matching a description provided by store staff and found the driver, Betancourth, had an active arrest warrant and no valid driver's license. She was also cited for driving without lights, with an obstructed windshield, without insurance and improper use of registration. Wojtowicz was identified as the shoplifter and cited with theft under local ordinance.

WINNETKA

INCIDENTS

IDENTITY THEFTS
Between Nov. 16 and Nov. 23, 11 village residents reported that someone used their identities to apply for unemployment insurance benefits.

AMAZON SCAM
A Merrill Street resident reported on Nov. 19 that someone claiming to be a representative of "Amazon Security" had contacted them a week earlier and informed them that they needed to deposit money into a checking account to resolve a discrepancy.

PHONE HARASSMENT
An Oak Street resident reported on Nov. 20 that they had received numerous unwanted calls from an unidentified caller.

TECH SUPPORT SCAM
A Lincoln Avenue resident reported on Nov. 21 that someone claiming to be a computer technical support representative had called them and asked for personal information. The caller also demanded the resident buy gift cards to offset a supposed issue with their account.

Earlier: Ruse Burglars, Porch Pirates Target North Shore Homes; Scammers Demand Gift Cards; Golf Course Trashed; Dog Bites Bicyclist: New Trier Area Police Blotters, Nov. 12–Nov. 25

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