Lottery Scam, Disorderly Conduct at Downers Grove Hotel: Police Blotter

TUESDAY, JAN. 29

Lottery Scam

Downers Grove police were called to PNC Bank, 401 Ogden Ave., around 1 p.m. for a report of a lottery scam.

The manager told police a woman had previously deposited three bad checks, in which she indicated that she had won the lottery. She went to the bank on Jan. 28 and attempted to withdraw $2,500 to send to a lottery company as insurance before they send her the full amount of her winnings, police said.

A bank employee informed the woman that the letter indicating she had won the lottery was a scam, but she did not believe it, police said.

She went to the bank again Jan. 29 to withdraw $2,500, and the bank again warned her that it was a scam, according to reports. The woman ignored the warning and withdrew the money, saying she was planning to mail the money to the lottery company through FedEx.

When police arrived at the woman's house, she was on the phone with a woman from the supposed lottery company, who was giving her instructions on how to send the money. When one of the officers took the phone and said he was with the Downers Grove Police Department, the woman immediately hung up, according to reports.

The officers told the victim that the letter and phone call were both part of a scam, but it appeared that the woman was still going to send the money. Police proceeded to contact the bank to see if there was anything that could be done to prevent the woman from withdrawing more money.

Disorderly Conduct at Downers Grove Hotel

Downers Grove police were called to a hotel in the 1100 block of Butterfield Road around 2:15 p.m. for a report of disorderly conduct.

The general manager told police a couple staying in one of the rooms had paid for the previous night, but was past checkout time and refusing to vacate. When the manager went to the room to request that they either pay for a second night or leave, the man threw cash—about $60—toward her, according to reports.

The manager said she informed the man that $60 would not cover the full amount, causing him to become irate and say that he would shoot her if she did not leave him alone, police said.

The manager never saw a weapon, but felt disturbed by the statement, police said. She did not wish to sign any complaints, but asked to have the couple trespassed from the hotel.

When police arrived, the man said the manager was lying, and that he was going to pay the full amount. However, he proceeded to argue about the charges, police said.

The couple was issued a trespass warning before they left the property on foot.

Police Blotter information is provided by local law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.

Looking for more Downers Grove police news?

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• Attempted Home Burglary in Downers Grove: Police Blotter

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