$50K In Fake Checks Cashed Against Business Account: Northbrook Police 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.

ARRESTS

RETAIL THEFT

• Erin Sheeran, of Palatine, is accused of retail theft, and was arrested at 4 p.m. Aug. 12, in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard. Police said Sheeran admitted to stealing $296.80 worth of products. A court date of Sept. 9 was assigned.
• Sofia Contreras, of Highland Park, is accused of retail theft, and was arrested at 6:57 p.m. Aug. 14, in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard. The loss prevention staff at the grocery store said Contreras, who was an employee, had under ringed products for sale on eight different occasions when purchasing them. The total amount of loss was $174.46. Police said Contreras fired from her job. A court date of Sept. 10 was assigned.

TRESPASSING

James J. Stack III, of Glencoe, is accused of trespassing, and was arrested at 11:10 a.m. Aug. 13, in the 100 block of Skokie Boulevard. Police said the manager of the grocery store saw Stack, who had been issued a no trespassing order on July 22. A court date of Sept. 10 was assigned.

LAST WEEK'S BLOTTER: Man Sleeping Next To Dumpster Had Active Arrest Warrant — Northbrook Police Blotter

INCIDENTS

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE

A citizen reported at 11:09 a.m. Aug. 8, someone had scratched the passenger side of his 2023 gray Tesla while it was parked in the 700 block of Skokie Boulevard. The complainant did not say how much it would cost to fix the damage.

THEFT OF CHECK

A resident in the 2900 block of Keystone Road called police at 3:18 p.m. Aug. 8, to report she had sent out a check through the mail to pay a bill for her business. She noticed the check had never arrived at the payee, so she contacted her bank. The bank staff indicated the check was stolen while it was being delivered and someone had tried cashing it in Alabama. The bank stopped the payment and voided the check.

CREDIT CARD FRAUD

A Suffield Terrace resident reported at 12:28 p.m. Aug. 9, that someone had been able to access his credit cards and illegally purchased two items in the amounts of $3,400 and $7,900.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY

A citizen reported at 10:41 a.m. Aug. 10, finding his garage door damaged at his business in the 3900 block of Commercial. He did not know how the door was damaged, but it was slightly ajar. The officers checked the interior of the business, but all appeared undisturbed.

IDENTITY THEFT

• A Sussex Drive resident reported at 7:46 p.m. Aug. 11, someone had used his information and billing address to run up charges at Oakton Community College in the amount of $2,983.75.
• A Marshall Road resident called police at 6:17 p.m. Aug. 13, to report she had received multiple notices that someone had used her information to open credit cards illegally. The complainant did not know how anyone was able to get her information, but all the credit card companies were contacted, and the cards were canceled.

CHECK FRAUD AND FORGERY

The staff at a business in the 3100 block of Commercial Avenue reported at 8:42 a.m. Aug. 14, several fraudulent checks had been cashed against their business account. The checks were fake but still had their account number on them. They noticed the forgery when they started receiving checks back on their account that were out of sequence or never created yet. The total for the fraudulent checks was $50,462.50