Sunday, May 19, 2013
A look at weird crime news in the northern Chicago suburbs.
Hard to Believe This Elaborate Heist Failed A woman from Round Lake Beach was charged with retail theft and reckless driving after she left a JC Penney without paying for $169 in clothing, struck a vehicle with her car and nearly hit several pedestrians while attempting to flee. Candy-Powered Cars Are the Future! A Chicago man was charged with disorderly conduct after he placed a candy bar in his ex-girlfriend's gas tank. Caught Red Handed With Matching Eye Shadow A Prospect Heights woman was charged with retail theft at Golf Mill Mall after a security agent observed her taking cosmetics and makeup from a store display, putting them into her purse and exiting the store without paying. Security recovered 28 items worth $425 on the scene. …
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The following police-related items were taken from area Patches. When an arrest is referenced is should not be considered a conviction.
Des Plaines Battery, Hazing Charges Filed Against Maine West Soccer Coach A former varsity boys soccer coach and teacher at Maine West High School faces multiple criminal charges related to reports of bullying and hazing, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez stated on Wednesday. Michael Divincenzo was charged with eight misdemeanor counts including three counts of battery, one count of hazing and four counts of failure to report abuse as mandated, in incidents on June 1, 2012, Aug. 31, 2012 and Sept. 26, 2012, according to court documents. Divincenzo is accused of threatening freshmen students to have the varsity players stick their thumbs up their buttocks if they did not communicate properly during a soccer drill, according to the …
Friday, May 17, 2013
Scambook is offering information on avoiding this scam and protecting yourself from scammers.
Due to the extreme penalties behind missing jury duty, scammers are preying on victims’ fear of legal action by pretending to be “jury duty coordinators” questioning consumers about recent jury duty summons. This scam that dates back to 2005, is circulating again with multiple states being hit including Illinois, Oklahoma, Colorado, Arizona and Oregon. Victims are being confused by scammers who request a Social Security number and date of birth to "verify" their information. With this information, scammers are armed for identity theft, tax fraud, hacking into bank accounts or other illegal purposes. To avoid falling for this jury duty phone scam, Scambook advises the following: 1. Understand that jury duty is always arranged by mailed …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
A Lake Zurich Patch Facebook fan asked the question and we found the answer.
Lake Zurich Police were out in force on Rte. 22 today as part of the Click it or Ticket campaign, said Commander David Bradstreet. Bradstreet said the Lake Zurich police will conduct safety checks 10 to 12 times during the campaign. Click It or Ticket, a national campaign coordinated annually by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to increase the proper use of seat belts, is conducted mid-May to early June. The 2013 Click It or Ticket campaign kicked off Friday in Illinois. Although seat belt use in the United States reached 87 percent overall, millions of persons continue to travel unrestrained, according to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). Using a seat belt is one of the most effective means of preventing …
Police say the Hoffman Estates man molested an 8-year-old at the church's special needs child care center, the Daily Herald reports.
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Thursday, May 16
A teenage Willow Creek Community Church volunteer has been charged with molesting an 8-year-old boy, the Daily Herald reports. Officials say 19-year-old Robert Sobczak of Hoffman Estates was volunteering in a care center for special-needs children when the molestation occurred. If convicted, he could face three to seven years in prison, the newspaper reports.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
A veteran bus driver for Woodland School District 50 is scheduled to appear in court June 12 on sex assault charges involving a victim under 17.
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Wednesday, May 15
Woodland District 50 bus driver Kristin Miks, 32, of the 33000 Block of Sunset Ave., in Wildwood, was arrested May 13 on two counts of Criminal Sexual Assault and four counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, reported the Lake County Sheriff's Office. The victim was under the age of 17 at the time of the offenses. The victim’s mother found messages from Miks referring to the encounters and reported it to the police, according to the sheriff's office. The Daily Herald is reporting the victim is a female. According to the Lake County News-Sun, Miks also has charges of cruelty to animals pending against her for allegedly mistreating three dogs in her care. In addition, reports the News-Sun, Miks was sentenced to six months of supervision …
The National Transportation Safety Board recommends reducing the limit. Some say it would save lives. Others say it's unreasonable.
One drink could be the standard for drunken driving – at least for some people if the National Transporation Safety Board has its way. On Tuesday, the NTSB recommended states lower the blood-alcohol threshold for driving under the influence from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent. About 10,000 deaths a year are related to drunken driving. The NTSB says the lower limit would save 500 to 800 lives a year. Officials at the American Beverage Institute called the proposal "ludicrous." It said the average woman could reach the 0.05 percent limit by having one drink. According to CyberDriveIllinois.com's 2013 DUI Fact Book, there were 2,593 DUI arrests in Lake County in 2011; 3,071 DUI arrests in 2010; and 3,029 DUI arrests in 2009. DUI facts from …
Monday, May 13, 2013
These incidents were among the official reports of the Lake Zurich Police Department. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that decision.
Traffic Arrest (DUI) Michael W. Brown, 23, 2304 Algonquin Road #7, Rolling Meadows, was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol on Route 12 at Cuba Road, May 13. Brown was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a blood alcohol content greater than .08, driving without a valid driver’s license, speeding and improper lane usage. Brown was released on a $3,000 personal recognizance bond with a Waukegan court date of June 24. Andrew C. Reiche, 50, who resides at 2417 Long Lane in McHenry, was arrested for driving under the influence on Route 12 at N. Old Rand Road in Lake Zurich, May 11. Reiche was charged with Improper Lane Usage, Operation of an Uninsured Motor …
Deputy Eric Francke is on administrative leave without pay after being charged with solicitation of a sex act and obstructing justice.
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Monday, May 13
A Lake County Sheriff's deputy has been placed on administrative leave after being charged May 10 with solicitation of a sexual act and obstructing justice, according to a press release. Deputy Eric Francke, 33, has been a deputy with the sheriff's office since Sept. 2008. He is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Mundelein Police Department on April 11 of an on-going criminal investigation involving Francke, who was initially placed on administrative leave with pay. As of Monday, Francke was not receiving pay. Francke is free after posting 10 percent of a $10,000 bond. Update: Police believe Francke, of Antioch, was a customer of two Chicago men who were forcing …
These incidents were among the official reports of the Lake Zurich Police Department. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that decision.
Criminal Damage Police received a report, May 8, that someone damaged the windshield of a tractor while the tractor was parked in the 1300 block of Conrad Lane. The person believed the damage was caused by a BB, but was unable to provide any suspect information. Theft Someone stole scrap aluminum from a bin located in the 900 block of Ensell Road, May 6. The victimwas unable to provide any suspect information. Traffic Arrest (No Valid) Kristina A. Braun, 31, 6414 Arnold Drive, Woodridge, was arrested in the 1100 block of South Old Rand Road, May 8. Braun was charged with operating a vehicle with expired registration, operating an uninsured vehicle and driving without a valid driver’s …
Sully
11:56 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013
Ah, the liberal media... Of course. more ›