Suspicious Incident in Winnetka on July 7th 2010

          On July 12, the Winnetka Police Department received a report of a suspicious incident that occurred on July 7th at approximately 4:30 PM. An 11 year old girl reported that while playing in the area of Prospect Ave. and Humboldt Ave. she encountered a male subject driving a vehicle. The child reported the driver stuck his arm out of the window and she believed he attempted to grab her shirt. The vehicle was described as: Newer black Audi sedan, tinted windows with a license plate that was light blue and red in color. The driver was described as: Male, Caucasian, 25-35 years of age, 150-200 lbs, tan skin, possibly blonde hair, blue eyes, large thin nose wearing a loose fitting black t-shirt with a gray design. No conversation took place between the driver and child.

          The above incident has some similarities to an incident that occurred in Wilmette on July 10th. For more information on that incident please click on the following link: Wilmette Press Release (PDF)

Use Caution While Jogging

             On July 3rd, a female jogger contacted the Winnetka Police Department regarding a suspicious male subject on the Green Bay Trail near Tower Rd. She reported that at approximately 1:55PM she was running north on the Trail and observed a male, Caucasian, 5'10", 20-30 years old, with short light brown hair and wearing long baggy pants and a t-shirt walking in front of her. As the jogger passed the male subject, he began to sprint towards her. The jogger screamed and the male subject ran into the bushes near Old Green Bay Road.

            On July 4th, two different female joggers observed a similar suspicious male walking in the area of Sheridan Rd. between Maple and Pine Streets. The subject was described as male, Caucasian, 6'0", 170 lbs., 27-35 years old with dirty blonde hair and plae skin, wearing black socks, black dress shoes, khaki shorts and an unknown colored shirt. As the joggers approached the subject, he hid behind a tree and attempted to keep his face from being seen. The subject did not say anything or make any physical contact with the joggers. The Winnetka Police Department reminds everyone not to take their personal safety for granted when exercising. Be aware of your surroundings and call 911 immediately if you observe suspicious person(s) or activities. For delayed incidents or calls for service, call the non-emergency line at 847-501-6034.

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Solicitors
Summer is the peak time of year for door to door sales. While some solicitors are authorized and legitimate, many are not. The Winnetka Police Department encourages all residents to take some basic precautions when
dealing with unknown solicitors.

Recommendations
When someone knocks at your door, don’t open it unless you know your visitor. View the person through a door viewer or window. Ask who they are and what they want. If the person is a sales representative, ask to see
identification and their solicitors permit. A legitimate solicitor will have a Village of Winnetka permit. Have the person slip their credentials through the mail slot or view them through the window or door viewer. If you
choose to conduct business with a legitimate sales representative, limit the amount of personal information you provide. Never provide a social security or bank debit card number.

If the solicitor does not have a permit or refuses to provide identification, do not open the door and advise them you are not interested in their sales presentation. If you have concerns or questions on the legitimacy of a
permit, contact the Winnetka Police Department to verify the identity of the individual and the organization they purport to represent. If the solicitor becomes belligerent, tell him/her to leave your property and call the police.
Call the Winnetka Police Department non-emergency line at 847-501-6034 for permit inquires and general questions.

Call 911 immediately to report suspicious person(s) and activities. This includes a solicitor who refuses to
leave your property or has become hostile or threatening.

Security Survey
The Winnetka Police Department Crime Prevention Unit offers free security surveys. Upon request, an officer will conduct a survey of your home and make recommendations on how you can make the building more secure
and reduce the opportunity of becoming the victim of a crime. For more information or to schedule a survey please contact Sergeant Marc Hornstein at 847-716-3409.

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Small Credit Card Thefts Add Up

A scam that has been reported that occurs by companies taking small amounts (usually under $10.00) from credit card accounts. Since these amounts usually fall under the radar they are often not noticed. Often these are charged to random account numbers and are credited to innocuous sounding companies. If you don’t recall making such a purchase ask your bank to reverse the charge.

Also keep an eye on amounts charged to debit and credit cards when used at restaurants, salons and other locations in which tips are included. Make sure the amounts on your statements match the amount on the receipt.

See the Police Crime Prevention Page for further information. (Click here)

Unlicensed Locksmiths

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) has been tracking a number of unlicensed locksmiths. These companies are often based out of state and may use forwarded phones that actually ring elsewhere. When they are identified they often relocate and change names.

When calling a locksmith please be aware of these issues and make sure that the company you call is properly licensed. Ask the locksmith employee for his state “Permanent Employee Registration Card (often called a “Blue Card”) as well as his employers identification card.

For more information or to verify the individuals registration you can visit the IDFPR’s website at www.IDFPR.com or call 217-782-8556. 

Please remember that the Winnetka Police Department may be able to assist you in unlocking your car and the Winnetka Fire Department may assist if you are locked out of your home. Proper identification may be requested to ensure that the person is authorized to make entry.

Burglaries and Thefts from Autos are Growing Problems on the North Shore

In three out of four car burglaries reported to the Winnetka Police Department, the vehicles had been left unlocked.

Theft is a costly crime. It results in loss not only for those whose property is stolen but also for the entire community since expensive police resources must be dedicated to investigating it. This crime can be prevented!

What you can do

" Ensure that your vehicle is locked after you park, even if it is parked in your own driveway or in your garage.
" Remove all valuables from your vehicle, including purses, wallets, cell phones, and portable electronic devices. Never leave keys in a parked vehicle.
" Keep the outside of your home well lighted at night, including the garage area.
" Be observant and call 911 immediately to report any suspicious activity to the Winnetka Police Department.

Auto thefts and burglaries of autos are often "crimes of opportunity." The Winnetka Police Department frequently receives reports of money or other items, often left in open view, stolen from unlocked vehicles. Many times these crimes are committed by individuals who just happen to be passing by and can't resist the temptation to take something that is easily within their reach. Valuables should never be left in view inside of a vehicle.

Taking simple, common-sense precautions will help to reduce the number of thefts that are committed in Winnetka. Minimizing the opportunity for these types of crimes to be committed will help keep our community a safe and secure place.

Internet Fraud Attempt Hits Close to Home

It seems that not even the police are exempt from fraudulent efforts to obtain personal information. A bogus request for information was sent to the Winnetka Police Department recently via the department's web page e-mail address!

The Winnetka Police Department received an e-mail that appeared to be from a major financial institution and included what looked like the institution's official logo. The e-mail asked for identifying information and claimed that the information was needed to safeguard the recipient's account. It also stated that the process is mandatory and if not completed without delay, accounts might be temporarily suspended. A web site address was included that was to be used to "securely" provide the information.  

Bogus internet requests for information often purport to be from a financial institution, Internet auction sites, and others. Like the one received by the Winnetka Police Department, they are likely to incorporate what looks like the institution's logo. They claim an urgent need for information -- to update their records, to protect accounts -- and may threaten that accounts will be closed or fees will be assessed if the information is not immediately provided. Other business entities may also be fraudulently used to obtain information for illegal purposes.

If you receive an e-mail request for personal information, don't respond to it. Instead, contact the business that is supposed to have sent it to determine whether or not it is authentic. 

Things aren't always what they appear to be.

Be an astute observer!

Winnetka Police recently observed a man inspecting parked vehicles in a lot in the vicinity of New Trier High School where a number of auto burglaries had been reported during the year. When questioned by police, he claimed to be there in order to place handbills on parked cars. The man had an extensive criminal history, and police believe that he was using the ruse of distributing handbills while he was actually looking for potential burglary targets.

In Winnetka, if you see someone placing handbills on vehicles, call 911 to let the police department know. You might prevent a car burglary or other crime.

Winnetka ordinance prohibits the placing of handbills on vehicles parked in public places.