Crime & Safety
Lake Zurich Ebay Scammer Charged with Felony Theft
Lake County Sheriff's police say Deer Park business owner sold motorhome, but did not deliver it.
A Lake Zurich resident was arrested for Class 2 Theft, a felony, regarding an eBay scam, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Randy Looke, 44, of the 500 Block of Peach Tree Ln. in Lake Zurich was arrested, March 20, for selling a motorhome, but not delivering, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
Looke is the owner of Sound & Video Consultants located at 20866 Rte.12 in Deer Park. Since 2011, he had been placing advertisements on eBay for a 1997 Forest River Reflection Diesel pusher 38-foot motorhome RV. Looke listed the advertisement under the company name ins.auto.auctions and his name was Andy Lo, according to the news release.
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A victim residing in Texas won the high bid for $16,700 to purchase the motorhome and sent Looke a check in October, 2011, said Sgt. Sara Balmes, public information officer for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The check cleared the bank on Nov. 2, 2011, she said.
The victim never received anything and Looke continued to give him the runaround, according to the news release.
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The victim filed a police report in Texas in 2012; the Lake County Sheriff's Office was notified earlier this month.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office suspects that Looke may have been involved in other eBay scams, said Sgt. Balmes.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division is seeking information from anyone who may have purchased anything from Looke AKA Lo or through the company ins.auto.auctions. If you were a victim of Looke’s contact Detective Francke at 847 377 4152.
Sheriff Mark C. Curran Jr. cautions anyone who purchases goods and services online. Ensure the seller is reputable before sending any form of payment and maintain your documentation.
Looke’s jail bond was set at $10,000. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 18. He is currently being held at the Lake County Jail.
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