Irate customer a challenge for employees, police

Employees at a liquor store on Dundee Road contacted police about a customer who was acting belligerent – to put it mildly. The employees said the man was throwing money around, yelling at the clerk and was very intoxicated. When officers arrived, reports say the man “immediately showed hostilities” towards them by yelling and waving his arms around. Reports say the man, who was having difficulty communicating, told officers that he was attempting to buy some alcohol and was using a large amount of small change that he put on the countertop.

One of the employees told police that the man began throwing his change at him. The employee told police he did not want to complete the sale. Reports say the man continued yelling and was highly agitated. The employee wanted the man removed from the store and told police that the man comes into his store several times a day to purchase alcohol.

Reports say the man refused to identify himself saying that he did not need to and questioned the officers’ authority. He allegedly called one of the officers a "n*****." The officer is not Black.

Reports note that the man left the store and walked towards his car which was running. To no surprise, officers noted  a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath even through his facemask.”  Officers told the man that could not drive and that he should call for another mode of transportation home.

The man told police he would walk, but first needed something from his car. When he left his car, the man began yelling at the officer and told him to leave.

He was told that he was not allowed back in the store, but he went back in and, according to reports, confronted the store employee.

But wait, there’s more. According to reports, the man left the store, got into his car and drove off in a high rate of speed. Officers followed the man and eventually caught up to him in his driveway.

When police confronted the man, he told them, reports say, “that he was now safe” and officers could not do anything to him. So he thought. The man declined a field sobriety test and opted to go into his garage to find a cigarette.

For reasons not detailed in reports, he called 9-1-1 despite being told that his call would just be relayed to the officer to whom he was speaking. Reports add that the man did not display an understanding as to how the 9-1-1 system works.

When told he was being placed under arrest, the man allegedly protested and said he had not been driving and was home all day.

The man was placed in a patrol car, but, reports say, refused to wear his face mask. During attempted discussions at the police station, the man allegedly told officers to, “shut up...I'm not listening to you" and refused to sign processing forms

A processing continued, the man, according to reports, said he was on a break from work and went over to the liquor store to buy some Tequila.

While the man originally agreed to a Breathalyzer test, when it came time to administer it, he refused.  Reports say that while in the man was in a bonding room, he proceeded to call 9-1-1 again. He was reportedly advised of the penalty for harassing a 9-1-1 call center, but reports say he did not seem to be concerned. The man was released and told police he would contact Uber for a ride home. Must have been a heck of a ride. By the way, he was charged with DUI. Surprised?

Restaurants chided for indoor dining -- Police report that they received two complaints about Buffalo Grove restaurants violating state mandates related COVID-19. In one case, police report that between 20 and 30 people were the bar area. Additionally, reports noted that “some of the staff were wearing masks, but none of the customers were.”

Another complaint was received by an anonymous person who said a restaurant was serving people indoors. Reports say management encouraged customers, none of whom were wearing masks, to leave and that all indoor dining would end.

Facebook fake – A resident reported to police that she tried to buy items from Facebook marketplace. However, after she made payments to the sellers, she was blocked. She told police that she attempted to purchase a laptop computer for $500 from a person in Austin, Texas. She told police she paid the person $500 via Google pay. He claimed he did not receive the money and requested that she send it again. Reports said she did not send him any more money, but later learned he had withdrawn the money.

In addition to the computer, the resident was also attempting to purchase a "computer desk, setup," via Facebook. This time she communicated with a person who said he was in Crown Point, Indiana. She discovered he had three different Gmail accounts and paid him $400 for the items via Google pay. After sending the money, the man stopped communicating with the resident. Amazon may have been a better choice.

Package pilfered from porch -- A resident in the 400 block of Springside reported observing a man steal a package from her front porch after receiving a front door motion alert from her “Blink Home” security system. The resident indicated that while replaying the video, she observed a postal service employee deliver a small cardboard box and leave. The resident told police she was not expecting any deliveries and did not know what had been stolen.

Resident watches burglary while at home -- A resident in the 2800 block of Dunstan contacted police to tell them about a burglary in progress at her residence. Here’s the kicker – she told police she was watching live security footage from inside her home and saw two unknown subjects inside. Responding officers reported that the front door was forced open. Reports say police searched the home and it appeared the master bedroom door was forced open, and the room was ransacked.

With friends like this – Police were summoned to a motel on Lake-Cook Road in response to a report of a parking complaint. Police found a vehicle registered to a Vernon Hills man who said, ready - - an acquaintance had stolen the car to buy groceries but never returned it. But wait, there’s more. Police say the man refused to provide police any information about the man who allegedly stole the car, citing Al-Anon rules regarding anonymity. According to police, the vehicle’s owner stated he had been in constant contact with the individual, and was planning to report the car stolen the next day. Reports say the vehicle owner was adamant he did not wish to pursue charges and would pick up the car, and did not want police to contact the man who borrowed (stole?) the car. The owner told police he did not even want officers to wait by the car. Beam me up, Scotty.

Use your imagination – According to police reports, a resident called to say “there were three rudimentary depictions of what appeared to be a banana and two oranges, spray painted on the rubberized surface of the playground.”

Resident reports feeder theft – Police say they received a complaint from a resident whose new bird feeder was missing. Reports say she found the base of the feeder on the ground outside by the kitchen door. In addition to the feeder, the hanging chains and seeds were also taken.

Mat missing – A resident reported that their door mat that said “Live, Laugh, Love” was missing No other missing mats were reporting.

Woodman’s theft – Police were summoned to Woodman’s after a customer allegedly got carried away at the self-checkout. Reports say the customer did not scan all the items in their cart. Reports say the customer purchased 14 items totaling $23.25, but there were an additional 24 items, totaling $148.66, which had not been paid for in the cart. The woman was charged with one count of theft.

Stupid is as stupid does – BGPD reports the following arrests during traffic enforcement: three arrests for DUI, four for driving without insurance, one for driving without a license and one for driving a revoked or suspended license.

Halloween DUI enforcement results -- Buffalo Grove Police made two impaired driving arrests and issued 14 seat belt and child safety seat citations during the recent Halloween traffic safety enforcement effort. Law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois participated in this effort that took place from Oct. 17 through Nov. 2.

Community News

Indian Trails Library halts in-person services

Due to increased positivity rates of COVID-19, in-person services at the Indian Trails Public Library, 355 Schoenbeck Rd. in Wheeling are suspended until further notice. Drive-up services will remain open. The vestibule will be open for grab and go projects. Materials can be returned to book drops outside the library. Residents who have questions can call the Library at (847) 459-4100

Village wants revised recreational pot policy

The Daily Herald reports that the village is hoping state lawmakers will change the policy that keep companies that are licensed to sell medical marijuana in a city from also selling recreational weed.

D214 stays hybrid

Despite escalating rates of reported COVID-19  cases, School district 214 plans to continue with hybrid classes. The district includes Buffalo Grove and Wheeling high schools.

Skibbe to head DPW

The village has named Mike Skibbe director of public works.  He replaces Mike Reynolds who is retiring. Reynolds held the post for seven years. Further details can be found at these links: Journal-Topics, Daily Herald

Budget hearing held, vote set Dec. 7

The Village Board held a virtual public hearing about the proposed 2021 budget Nov. 16. If you opted to watch the Bears instead of the budget hearing, the budget the presentation can be found at this link.

Park District installs air purification systems

The Buffalo Grove Park District has installed iWave air purifying devices in all of its indoor facilities, which include the Alcott Center, Community Arts Center, Emmerich Park building (excluding the garage), Fitness Center, Golf Dome building (excluding the dome structure), Raupp Museum, and the building at Twin Creeks Park (excluding the garage and bathrooms).

The iWave uses needle-point bi-polar ionization that creates equal amounts of positive and negative ions. When released, these ions breakdown passing pollutants and gases. When air passes over the iWave, ions produced by the device helps reduce pathogens, allergens, particles, smoke and odors in the air. This technology does not create ozone as a by-product.

“The iWave is not a replacement for social distancing and wearing a mask indoors; but, it is certainly a way that we can help minimize the risk of contracting viruses like COVID-19 inside our facilities,” says Ryan Risinger, executive director of the Buffalo Grove Park District.

Library offers online programming

The Indian Trails Public Library District has scheduled the following online programs:

Novelist Database: Wednesday, Nov. 25, 7-8:30 p.m. Learn how to use the Novelist database and find new books and authors based on ones you’ve liked in the past. The register, go to this link.

Candy Crisis Virtual Escape Room: Wednesday, Dec. 2, 4-5 p.m. Live Zoom Program, Grades 3-5. Play with other kids in a virtual team environment on your computer. Test your skills at math in a candy-themed game. Register at this link

Boondoggle Keychains: Tuesday, December 1, 9-9:30 a.m. Recommended for ages 8 and older, participants will learn how to create two different boondoggle keychain designs in this video tutorial. Supply kits will be available for pick up by registered members one week before the program.

Register at this link.

Zoom to Bed Storytime: Thursday, Dec. 3, 6:30-7 p.m. Live Zoom Program.  This program is for children ages 3-7 with a caregiver. What better way to wind down with your family after a long day than a live, interactive story time. Enjoy books, songs and rhymes while building early literacy and listening skills at home. Register at this link.

Park District receives awards

The Buffalo Grove Park District received two Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) Best of the Best Awards. The Park District received awards in Arts in the Park and The Power of Parks categories. The Arts in the Park Award recognizes agencies (park districts, forest preserves, conservation, recreation, and special recreation agencies) that support the arts, and partner with artists and arts organizations to enhance the quality of life in their communities.

The other IAPD Best of the Best award the Park District received was The Power of Parks Award. This award is intended to recognize an IAPD member park district, forest preserve, conservation, recreation or special recreation agency that displayed innovative and insightful ways to adapt their programs, events and services to best meet the needs of their residents in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rotary helping the needy

Members of the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club spent several days last week packing boxes of food for area needy families. You can learn more at either of these links. Making Thanksgiving memorable Keeping the thanks in Thanksgiving.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Got News?

If you have news about your club, school, church, synagogue or other community organization, please submit news, information and story ideas to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.

Articles should include a contact name, email and phone number. Commentary articles are also welcome.  They should be limited to 350 words and should include contact information as noted above. All submissions may be edited for style, spelling, and libelous content.

Questions about B.G. News & Info. should be sent to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.

 

Subscribe by email

If you want to receive Buffalo Grove News & Information by email, send your email address to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.

 

COVID mandate violators keep cops busy

Several restaurants and businesses drew police response to complaints about violations of the state mandate against indoor dining. While most operators cooperated with police, several, according to reports, were defiant or had customers who were reluctant to cooperate.

In a one case, police were summoned to a health spa on Busch Parkway in response to possible violations of the Governor's COVID mask mandate.

Reports say the responding officer had difficulty accessing the facility to talk to staff. According to reports, a receptionist who reportedly had clear view of the uniformed officer kept walking away from the entrance where the officer was until she was out of sight. The officer was finally able to gain access after he noticed two men, both not wearing masks, opened the door.  Reports say there was no indication that the facility was not open to the public.

Reports say the officer was able to talk with a man who said he was not an employee, but an attorney who reportedly told the officer he did not have probable cause to enter the building.

According to reports, when the officer inquired if the business was open to the public, the attorney said he was not certain if the building was, in fact, a business.

The officer, reports say, told the man that he was investigating violations of the Governor's executive order regarding wearing masks indoors.

But wait, there’s more.

According to reports, the officer was able to talk with an employee at the reception desk to discuss the situation with a manager.

While he was waiting, reports say the officer “observed 12 people moving around the hallway and reception area” and four were not wearing masks:

When the officer discussed the matter with the manager, he was told that everyone in the building was wearing masks. When the officer informed the manager of his observations, the manager allegedly told the officer that there was nothing that stated the persons in the business were required to wear masks

The officer, reports say, “directed his attention to the sign posted on the door which informed those entering that they are, in fact, required to wear masks.”

A request by the officer to check other areas of the club was denied by the manager. Reports indicate that as the officer left the club, he was observed by the man who said he was an attorney and the receptionist.

Police report that they went back to the club after receiving another complaint of approximately 100 patrons inside the cafe area dining.

The responding officer said he was again met by the manager who declined to give him access to check the cafeteria area to verify reports of indoor dining. The officer was told by the owner that he would have one of his managers would follow up with the village.

Reports say the officer “observed approximately 50 vehicles in the parking lot” as he left the facility. Stay tuned.

      In a second incident, reports say a restaurant manager said he was aware of the ban on indoor dining, but said a customer threatened not to return to patronize the facility if their group of 12 could not eat inside. The manager said he was “given orders” to retain customers.

      Police report a third case where they had to stop at another restaurant twice in a week’s time on reports of indoor dining. On both occasions, police spoke with restaurant staff about the requirement form employees to wear masks. Police also reminded restaurant management about the ban on indoor dining. According to reports, the manager said “he understood, but he also said they were trying to make money to survive."

Despite the police advice, reports say they were summoned back to the facility a few hours later in response to an anonymous complaint. When officers returned, they found that staff members were wearing masks but there were also 12 customers eating inside the restaurant. Police again reminded the manager that he wasn't supposed to have customers eating inside and, say reports, he again said he understood.

Police also report that they were summoned to the Starbucks in the 1000 block of Dundee Road in response to a complaint about a customer who refused to leave. Reports says the customer refused to eat outside. The manager said she asked the woman to eat her food outside multiple times because of the Governor's order, but she refused to leave.

Police reports say the woman did not want to eat outdoors because she sat down and started eating her food indoors before anyone mentioned anything to her and by the time she'd gather all her things again, the food would be cold.  She claimed there were no signs posted stating the indoor dining area was closed.

** Sliding door damaged – A resident in the 0-100 block of Villa Verde Drive explained someone threw a rock at her glass sliding door and ran to a white Nissan sedan.

In a second case in the area, a resident told police his glass sliding door to his living room was damaged. The resident told police he also found a note with an unsavory message.

Police also talked to the man’s neighbor who said he heard two loud thumping sounds outside of his window earlier in the evening.

** Bogus food order -- A manager at fraudulent purchase at Mug's Pizza and Ribs restaurant reported a fraudulent purchase. The manager said the order was for $60. the Police says the restaurant uses ChowNow for food services, but no one had picked up the food. The manager said he was contacted by a woman who said she received a confirmation code for the order but she never ordered any food. She told the manager that she believed her account was hacked and her credit card was used to make the purchase.

** Unverified Amazon return – A resident told police that an effort to return packages to Amazon and wanted to contact their customer service. She checked Google for what she thought was the Amazon Prime customer service number and called it. The woman told police that she spoke with someone who only identified himself as "David." The resident said when she spoke with the person over the phone, he informed her that her account was hacked and in order to fix her issue, she needed to go Walgreens and take out three $200 gift cards and send him the numbers. “David” told the woman that he found the first hacker in Detroit and she needed to get more cards so they can find the other ones. The woman went to Walgreens and CVS where she got six more cards bringing the total to $1,800. When David asked her to get more cards, she became suspicious.

** Another Amazon scam nets $7,000 -- A resident told police he was contacted by “Eric” from Amazon to fix his account. He was instructed to obtain $7,000 in gift cards and provide the account numbers. The man told police he went to his bank, withdrew $7,000, and purchased gift cards at Best Buy and Target.

** Cooker swiped -- Police report that a black smoke cooker was stolen from outside the back of a restaurant in the 100 block of McHenry Road. It was valued at $500.

** Medicare renewal scam -- A resident in the 1100 block of Satinwood told police that an unknown person came to her house, claiming he was going to help her renew her Medicare. The resident provided her driver’s license, social security card, passport identification number, and Visa credit card to this person. The woman told police she believed the person was going to return this week and bring back the above listed items. The man was described as a white male about 25 year of age with, light brown hair, around 5’7” with a medium build, good looking and wearing a suit.

** Sudsy suspect – Police were summoned to the Bucky’s at Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads in response to a report of a theft of beer. Police were told the person suspected of stealing the beer was in the lot drinking what he had just walked out of the store with. Police located the man, who to no surprise, was described as being “visibly intoxicated and acting belligerent.” According to reports, the man allegedly stole two 24-ounce cans of Steel Reserve from the cooler and left without paying.

** Stupid is as stupid does – You sometimes have to wonder who some people get drivers’ licenses. For example, the BGPD reports in the past 14 days there have been four arrests for DUI, two for driving without insurance, three for driving on a revoked or suspended license, four for driving without a license, and one for driving with possession of open liquor. Hey, let’s be careful out there.

Community News

Budget hearing set -- The village will hold a public hearing on the 2021 Buffalo Grove budget will take place starting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16.  This meeting will be held virtually only on Zoom. A draft of the budget is available at this link.

Residents urged to stay at home – With COVID cases reaching record levels, Illinois residents are being asked to stay inside. Cook County residents are under a “say-at-home” advisory for 30 days. Lake County residents are not under an advisory, but are encouraged to follow the same guidelines.

Increase in COVID cases pushes D102, D21 to virtual classes –  As cases of Coronavirus skyrocket, D102 is providing instruction virtually. The more mirrors the decision by other suburban school districts. No date has been determined for a return to in-building classes. School District 21 made the same announcement on Friday, Nov. 13.

Village, firefighters’ union agree on three-year pact – Buffalo Grove fire fighters, paramedics and other officers will see annual pay increases ranging between 2 and 2.5 percent thanks a three-year contract approved by the Village. 

Rotary to distribute food to the needy – Members of the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club are scheduled to pack boxes of food for area needy families on Tuesday. An estimated 150 boxes will be assembled with a variety of food and other items, all of which were donated by Garden Fresh Market.

Cops collecting for ‘Toys for Tots’ -- The Buffalo Grove Police Department is once again participating in ‘Toys for Tots’, a charitable campaign started by the United States Marine Corps that benefits less fortunate children around the holiday season.

The BGPD has served as a collection site for new and unwrapped toys for the past several decades. Donation boxes are located in the lobby of the Buffalo Grove Police Department, 46 Raupp Boulevard, where area residents can drop off new and unwrapped toys 24 hours a day seven days a week. Donations can be dropped off through midnight Sunday, Dec. 6. Members of the Marine Corps will distribute the donations to children in need leading up to the holidays.

For more information, contact the Buffalo Grove Police Department at (847) 459-2560 or visit toysfortots.org.

Library offers app to spice up your cooking – Residents looking to add some zip to their recipes can access the ‘Kanopy’ app.  Instructions are at this link.

Schneider announces “Holiday Cards for Heroes” competition -- U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-10), launched his annual “Holiday Cards for Heroes” program for the 2020 holiday season. He also announced the opening of his annual competition to design his office’s holiday card.

For the “Holiday Cards for Heroes” program, Tenth District constituents are invited to drop off holiday cards in unsealed envelopes for military service members at Congressman Schneider’s District Office in Lincolnshire through Monday, Dec. 14.

Last year Schneider’s office collected and distributed more than 400 cards with help from the United Service Organizations (USO).

Although the district office remains closed for walk-in service because of the pandemic, a drop box will be set up outside Congressman Schneider’s District Office at 111 Barclay Blvd., Suite 200, in Lincolnshire.

For the Fifth Annual Holiday Card Design Competition, elementary school students in the Tenth District are invited to submit artwork to be featured on the cover of Congressman Schneider’s office Holiday Card. This year’s theme is “Winter Wonderland,” a nod to the many outdoor activities friends and family can engage with safely during the coronavirus pandemic.

Students may submit their entries by email to Robert.Perez@mailhouse.gov.  All submissions are due by Wednesday, Nov. 25. The winner will be announced in early December.

For more information call (847) 383-4870.

Got News?

If you have news about your club, school, church, synagogue or other community organization, please submit news, information and story ideas to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.

Articles should include a contact name, email and phone number. Commentary articles are also welcome.  They should be limited to 350 words and should include contact information as noted above. All submissions may be edited for style, spelling, and libelous content.

Questions about B.G. News & Info. should be sent to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.

Subscribe by email

If you want to receive Buffalo Grove News & Information by email, send your email address to BuffaloGroveNews@Gmail.com.