Cops probe COVID-19 related crimes

Police Reports

** Maybe decaf would have been a better option. Police responded to the patio area of the Starbucks at 820 N. Milwaukee Ave. on a report of a woman sitting on the patio screaming and yelling.

            Police say they met with the woman who was sitting on the ground near the windows at the southeast corner of the building. Police said they told the woman that a person was concerned about her well-being due to her screaming and yelling on the patio. The woman told police she was talking on the phone and got upset with her family, which led her to scream and yell.

            While police were checking the woman’s identification, she became upset and began yelling and demanding to know why police needed the information. While police were explaining the procedure the woman stood up, gathered her belongings, and” stormed off” in the direction of the bus stop at southbound Milwaukee Avenue., south of Deerfield Parkway. As she was walking away the woman became upset and yelled that the officer was "expletive" with her.

            Officers found there was an “active, extraditable arrest warrant” from the Evanston Police Department for obstructing identity and resisting a peace officer. Police approached the woman and informed her there was a warrant for her arrest an accusation she vehemently denied. When police asked for further information to clarify if the warrant was for her police says she provided one with a different middle initial and an address in unincorporated Deerfield, which was different than the address listed on the warrant.

            When informed that she was under arrest for the warrant and instructed to turn away from officers and put her hands behind her back, she refused saying, "I'm not under arrest, I'm getting on the bus," and began to back away from officers.

            Police reports say that the woman continued to struggle, twisting and thrashing her body around in an attempt to escape arrest.

She was transferred to Northwest Community Hospital for evaluation. The woman was charged with obstructing identification and resisting a peace officer.

** Windows upgrade?  Someone reportedly stole three storm doors and one picture window from a business in the 700 block of Hastings. The doors and the window were stored outside of the business. They were new and in their original box.

** Suppose he wanted fries with that too. Police responded to Wendy's at 300 Half Day Rd for a report of a suspicious person. The caller stated a male with a backpack was approaching people and asking them to order him an Uber car to get to Glenview.

            Police said the man admitted to approaching several people to ask to use their Uber app in exchange for some cash. The man stated his credit card was being rejected by Uber for an unknown reason. In speaking with the man, he told police he could understand why people might become suspicious of his actions.

While talking with police, a cab arrived and the man was allowed to leave to go to Glenview to a friends' house. Odds are it was prepaid.

** This defies logic. A section of his backyard fence was knocked over by wind approximately one week ago at a residence in the 1200 block of Larraway Drive. The disconnected section of fence was placed in the backyard for safekeeping until it could be repaired. The resident said he noticed the disconnected fence had been stolen from his backyard. The estimated value of the panel was between $200 and $300.

** Admit it, you’ve been waiting for this one - -Police were dispatched to Woodman’s for a dispute. Want to guess why?  Police reports say when they arrived, they found two subjects, who said they stated they attempted to purchase toilet paper, but store personnel refused to sell them each a bundle of paper. The management claimed they were only allowed to purchase one bundle per household. They showed their identifications to prove they lived at separate homes, but were denied additional toilet paper. One subject stated the staff was being disrespectful to her.

Police spoke with the manager about the incident who stated the patrons were yelling at his staff and they were no longer welcome at the store. A trespass warning was given to both persons whom police reports say left without incident and presumably, not much toilet paper.

** If it wasn’t for social distancing, a hug might be in order.  Police responded to complaints about road rage by two motorists. After listening to the proverbial “he said, she said,” police reports say “both parties were instructed to handle road rage incidents in a mature manner in the future to avoid confrontations and/or possible violence. They both said they understood and left the scene.”

** Like the swallows return to Capistrano. Trash violations return to Buffalo Grove. Police were summoned to a business in the 1100 block of Johnson Drive in response to a person dumping trash in a business dumpster.

Police report that a person was observed throwing construction debris in and around the

dumpster behind the business. The man was confronted and said he just did work inside a neighboring business. When asked why he didn't dump his debris in their dumpster, the subject reportedly mumbled something and quickly left the area.

The business owned followed the subject’s vehicle to try and obtain a license plate. He told police the vehicle was a large U-Haul truck with an Arizona license plate and was being driven by a man who was approximately 25-30 years old. The business owner told police he just wanted the subject to come back and throw the items inside the dumpster so he doesn't catch the coronavirus (COVID-19).

** Working in one last workout? Police patrolling the area of 700 S Buffalo Grove Road, noticed patrons inside a fitness center. Police reports say officers went inside and attempted to talk with management, but no employees were on scene. They did speak with a few of the patrons who left once when told about Buffalo Grove’s local disaster emergency. One question that still remains is – where was management?

** COVID-19 related theft – A resident in the 1200 block of east Deerfield Parkway reported to police that items in the trunk and passenger area of her car appeared to have been rifled through. She later discovered her blue tote bag with sanitation supplies was missing from her front passenger seat. The tote bag contained supplies she needed for work due to the COVID-19 pandemic included a box of disposable gloves, cleaning wipes, face masks, paper towels, and tissues was missing. The resident noted that all of the U.S. currency, lottery tickets, and other items of value remained inside her vehicle. And guess what? The resident said she possibly had left one of her doors unlocked but was not certain.

** Stupid is as stupid does…Despite the closure of on-site alcohol sales at restaurants and bars, Buffalo Grove Police reported issued two tickets for DUI, plus five tickets to persons driving on a suspended or revoked license, one for driving with a valid registration and three for driving without insurance. Odds are these were nonessential trips.

(Editor’s note: Thanks to the Buffalo Grove Police Department for making the above information available.)

Community News

Village officials to address COVID-19 on “Facebook Live”

          Village Manager Dane Bragg, Police Chief Steve Casstevens and Fire Chief Mike Baker will participate in a Facebook Live event on Tuesday. Details and online access are still be finalized, but Village Manager Dane says it will be prior to a special board meeting that begins at 7:30 p.m. That meeting, which will be a teleconference, will address the extension of the village’s local disaster emergency proclamation.

Village details “Stay at Home” plans

The village of Buffalo Grove will be operating in its “Level 3” of its response level. According to an e-newsletter and posts on social media, “…services are being modified…Residents can click here to learn about how the village is adjusting its services, and contact information for different service calls, questions and concerns.”

Vernon Twp. reduces services, office access

Vernon Township has reduced services and is limiting public access to its building.

In a social media post, the township said “We are working hard to ensure that resident services are not interrupted during this extraordinary time. Our food pantry will continue to operate with a drive-thru setup where residents will have food brought to their cars so they will not need to have any unnecessary public interaction. If a resident is unable to get to the food pantry during this time, please call the township to make arrangements.”

Late Friday, the township indicated on its website that in light of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “Shelter In-Place” order, it will continue to provide essential services, including:

** Food Pantry – including delivery to homebound residents, immunocompromised residents and seniors without access to transportation;

** Bus Service – for township residents to travel within the township for approved reasons such as trips to grocery stores, the pharmacy and medical related issues;

** Emergency & General Assistance - Emergency Assistance provides help for residents in life-threatening situations or to maintain self-sufficiency. General Assistance is a public assistance program mandated by state law for qualified individuals with financial needs;

** Highway Department – For Emergencies Only – Residents can leave a message for the highway department with emergencies at 847-276-2590;

** Medical Lending – On a modified basis, Vernon Township will deliver walkers, canes, crutches, shower chairs, etc. and wheel chairs (with a $50 deposit). These items can also be picked up outside the Vernon Township building.

The township said its PACE Dial-a-Ride bus will operate as usual without interruption, and asks riders to use extra caution and cancel their rides if they are feeling sick or experiencing symptoms.

For information on the township’s programming during COVID-19, call (847) 634-4600 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Lee:  No appeal planned

Soojae Lee, who ran for the Buffalo Grove Village Board in May of 2019 and came up two votes short to Trustee David Weidenfeld, is not planning to appeal Cook County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Stanton’s decision to toss out Lee’s suit challenging the results. The Daily Herald reported in a Saturday afternoon post on its website, that Lee's decision not to appeal was based on his belief that “…"I thought long and hard about it, and I said, you know what? If I'm to bring in other people and inconvenience them, too, then I have to spend more time and more resources. I'm going to let this one go."

Lee’s decision comes on the heels of a report in the Journal-Topics that he was planning an appeal. The story claimed Lee is mulling an appeal “…due to the time and effort he has put into the lawsuit so far, which he wants to see through and be ensured the final difference was indeed two votes…”

In a Friday Facebook post, Lee said “…after a careful consideration, I have decided to cease my Recount Petition. I fought a good fight and demonstrated to Buffalo Grove residents that each and every vote counts. This is not an easy decision as I firmly believe that 2 votes difference deserves and warrants a recount…” He added that “…It has been a humbling experience and I want to thank all my supporters during this process. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart. I have reached out to David to concede and extend my congratulation (sic) to him.”

Schneider hosting small business webinar

U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-10) is hosting a webinar for local small businesses to discuss the resources available for them to “navigate the economic disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak.” The webinar is from 3 to 4 p.m. on Monday, March 23. Interested participants are asked to register at this link. Schneider has been hosting a variety of programs related to COVID-19.  His telephone town meeting on March 19 had more than 8,000 participants.

Facebook group seeks to help residents

Several residents have created a Facebook group, Buffalo Grove Helping Buffalo Grove to provide help to residents during the onslaught of COVID-19. Facebook users can go to Buffalo Grove Helping Buffalo Grove (COVID-19) to be part of the group and help Buffalo Grove residents.

Homeless shelter looking for donated meals

The Haven, a Libertyville-based social-service agency dedicated to meeting the needs of homeless women and children, is looking for are residents to donate meals.  Donors can either drop off ingredients along with a recipe or support a local restaurant and have a meal delivered directly to the shelter. Information about The Haven can be found at lakecountyhaven.org.

Student Voices

Here are links to the student newspapers at Stevenson and Buffalo Grove high schools.

Buffalo Grove High School Charger

Stevenson High School Statesman

Wheeling High School Spokesman

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