Suburban Identity Theft Scheme Reached as Far as Russia, Poland

Two federal grand jury indictments were handed down late last week, charging a total of 13 defendants. Two of the offenders came from Skokie and Northbrook while others came from as far as Russia and Poland, authorities said.

An international identity theft scheme was halted by the FBI following an investigation on Friday that dates back to 2009. The United States Department of Justice announced that two federal grand jury indictments were handed down, charging a total of 13 individuals with a variety of offenses - from scheming to obtaining goods, cars and money illegally. Among those charged were Peter Vana, 36, of Skokie, with three counts of wire fraud and Yaroslav Bolesta, 25, of Northbrook with one count of wire fraud. The duo is alleged to have participated in the fraud of purchasing multiple pieces of clothing, sporting goods, electronics and even vehicles through the use of identity theft and credit card fraud. All in all, 24 counts were made against …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Deerfield Woman Sues Barnes & Noble for Identify Theft

One of the customers of Deerfield store takes action against bookseller for not properly securing her personal information.

A Deerfield woman sued Barnes & Noble for invasion of privacy claiming her credit card information was stolen when shopped at the booksellers’ Deerfield store in August and September, according to a complaint filed Monday in federal court in Chicago. Susan Winstead filed the complaint for herself and “on behalf of others similarly situated” attempting to create a class action lawsuit against Barnes & Noble arising from compromised pin pads in 63 of the company’s stores throughout the United States, according to the complaint. Earlier: Deerfield Barnes & Noble Card Readers Were Hacked “The area of personal data protection is an area of rising public concern and something that needs to be of the utmost importance to the retail and merchant …

•  12 Comments
• Photos (1)

RonnieTheLimoDriver

12:31 pm on Friday, November 2, 2012

The thieves are actually a very small part of the reason the problem goes unsolved. I know that sounds crazy, but its true. I'll illustrate this with a real life example. When I lived in the city, I had my credit card number stolen. The idiot was dumb enough to use my stolen number to pay his phone bill. Open and shut case, right?The real problem is twofold. 1)Lack of law enforcement resources to…   more ›

Northbrook Blotter: An Identity Thief with a Tax Incentive

In this week's police blotter, a stolen bike, stolen jewelry and a stolen identity.

The following information was supplied by the Northbrook Police Department. Arrests or charges do not indicate guilt. "That's what you get for having wind in your hair!" On Sept. 4, an unknown person slashed the fabric top of a convertible parked on the 2700 block of Greenwood Dr., according to police.  $5,500 in Missing Jewelry  On Sept. 5, a woman on the 2100 block of Center Ave., reported jewelry missing from a wooden jewelry box, according to police. Estimated loss is $5,500. 1 Was Deviously Written Where There Should Have been a 0 On Sept. 7, a woman on the 2300 block of Chelsea Dr. reported an unknown person had used her Social Security number to file a tax return, according to police.  Can't Lock a Bike to Concrete On Sept. 9, a man…

• Photos (1)

Blotter: 2 DUIs; $40,000 Burglary On Cayuga Lane

The following arrest information was supplied by the Northbrook Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

WARRANT ARRESTS Patrick Mitera, 20, of Glenview, was arrested on a charge of possession of alcohol by a minor in the 1500 block of Shermer Road on Saturday, Dec. 17, according to police. William A. Haberland, 52, of Lake Forest, was arrested on a warrant for retail theft by Lake Forest police at his home on Saturday, Dec. 17, according to police.  DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Elizabeth A. Weintraub, 51, of Glenview, was stopped for a traffic violation and arrested in the 2800 block of Shermer Road on Tuesday, Dec. 13, according to police. She was charged with driving under the influence and speeding.  Wojciech J. Korzec, 20, of Carpentersville, was stopped for a traffic violation and arrested at Dundee and Sanders Roads Saturday, Dec. 17, …

• Photos (1)

Blotter: Animal Cruelty, Pot Smoker Caught On Video And A Parking Dispute Gets Physical

The police report for June 20-25.

The items below come from Northbrook Police Department reports. In all incidents where an arrest occurred, a charge is merely an accusation and not evidence of guilt. The arrested person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. MISSOURI MAN CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY A man reported that he saw a small, tan dog hanging from a tan Ford F-250 pickup truck by its leash and collar Monday, June 20, at Northbrook Court. He picked up the dog and put it back in the pickup truck, where it seemed to begin breathing normally again, he said. Following the incident, defendant Jason M. Dittmer, 26, of Neosho, MO, was issued a local ordinance ticket for animal cruelty. AGGRAVATED DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Jose A. Diaz, 43, of Kenosha…

Daily PatchCast: Vacationer's Home Ransacked & Midwest Crane Count

A roundup of the region’s major developments for Friday, April 15.

Here's what's going on in Patch sites around you: Glencoe Blotter: Burglars Hit Vacationers' House; Graffiti Expresses Political Opinions. Wilmette Police Blotter: Arrested Woman Suspected in California Identity Theft Ring. Calling All Cranes—Stand Up and Be Counted. Highland Park Native's HBO Series Premieres Sunday. 

• Videos (1)

Blotter: Attempted Burglary on Juli-Lyn; $20,000 Credit Card Fraud

The police report for March 29-April 3.

The items below come from Northbrook Police Department reports. In all incidents where an arrest occurred, a charge is merely an accusation and not evidence of guilt. The arrested person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE Erik J. Sundberg, 29, of Arlington Heights, was arrested April 3 at Dundee Road and Bittersweet Drive and charged with improper lane usage and driving under the influence, according to police. BATTERY, CRIMINAL DAMAGE John Michael M. Petrillo, 40, of Glenview, was arrested April 3 and charged with battery and criminal damage to property, according to police. According to the report, Petrillo refused to leave when asked to leave a home on Whitfield Road. He allegedly …

Blotter: Underage Drinking, Identity Theft

The police blotter for Feb. 21 - 27.

The items below come from Northbrook Police Department reports. In all incidents where an arrest occurred, a charge is merely an accusation and not evidence of guilt. The arrested person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. UNDERAGE DRINKING Three teenagers were stopped for a traffic violation at Sunset Ridge Road and Shadowood Lane on Feb. 26, and an officer discovered open containers of alcohol inside the vehicle, according to police. One 17-year-old from Northbrook was charged with traffic offenses. Another 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, Mark Lee, both from Northbrook, were charged with underage drinking and driving with an open container of alcohol, according to police. DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE A 40-year-old …