PRESS RELEASE
10/17/07
The Elmhurst Police Department will begin a one-year DUI enforcement campaign as part of an Illinois Department of Transportation Grant (IDOT). The purpose of this grant is to raise awareness of the hazards of impaired driving and reduce the incidence of alcohol related crashes. In addition to DUI enforcement, an emphasis will be placed on speeding and seat belt violations.
Enforcement periods will cover eight specific time frames, the first between October 22, 2007 and November 3, 2007. During the first time period the Police Department will be conducting additional DUI patrols. These patrols will often concentrate on periods when DUI's are most prominent, primarily between 9P.M. and 3 A.M. with emphasis on weekends and holidays.
Motorists are encouraged to notify the police if they observe a vehicle driven by a possible impaired driver. Motorists are also encouraged to buckle their seatbelts as well as their children every time they get into a vehicle. Drivers who drive impaired either by alcohol or drugs are warned that the average cost for a DUI arrest is well over $10,000. In addition, an impaired driver will often have their driver's license suspended and risk one year in jail
In the past year, Elmhurst has experienced several very serious and fatal crashes in which alcohol was a factor. The Elmhurst Police encourage all drivers to drive safe and sober.
For more information contact:
Sgt. Jim Gandy(630)530-3050
PRESS RELEASE
10/12/07
On Thursday, October 11, 2007, at 3:22 pm, a man reported he was threatened by a motorist near the entrance of York High School, 355 W. St. Charles Road, Elmhurst. The suspect claimed he had a gun and threatened to shoot the victim. No gun was displayed. The school was in the process of dismissal and the students were temporarily detained at the school for safety reasons
Moments later the suspect was located at his home in the area of Utley and West Avenue in Elmhurst, approximately 2 blocks from the school. The Elmhurst Police surrounded the home and cordoned off the area. The suspect surrendered to police at approximately 5:00 pm. No gun was recovered.
Police have charged William Grosse, age 63, of 181 S. West Ave. with one charge of assault and one charge of disorderly conduct. He was released on bond.
Steve Neubauer
Chief of Police
Elmhurst Police Department
PRESS RELEASE
06/26/07
On 06-21-2007, the Elmhurst Police Department arrested James V. Wisnewski of South Elgin for Indecent Solicitation of a Minor. James came out to Elmhurst to meet who he believed was a 15-year-old female that he met while in an Internet chat room.
The Elmhurst Police Department is asking for assistance from anyone who might have talked with Wisnewski on the Internet. Wisnewski used the screen names of "oldbuddy1947" and "goofie0000@sbcglobal.net," while in Yahoo! chat rooms. If you have any additional information please call the Elmhurst Police at 630-530-3050.
Please remind your children the importance of Internet safety and the dangers of attempting to meet a stranger in person.
The booking photo of Wisnewski is pictured below.
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY
02/14/07
On February 13, 2007 at 3:34 a.m. the Elmhurst Police responded to the 600 block of Washington St. in South Elmhurst to investigate an open gate to a residential backyard with fresh shoeprints in the snow. The resident was alarmed when her dog began barking from inside of the house. Responding officers determined that an offender was attempting to enter garages and residences in the area. He had also abandoned a Silver Pacific Riptide 24" boys 21 speed Mountain bicycle taken from a yet unidentified two-car garage. Officers continuously tracked the movements of the fleeing offender that led to an area several blocks away. An officer then observed the offender entering a residence through a window where he was taken into custody at 4:02 a.m. It was learned that he was entering his own residence after he committed several burglaries in the area. The offender, Adam D. Ahern, 17, of 424 Mitchell Elmhurst, has been charged with Residential Burglary and is currently being held at the DuPage County Jail awaiting a bond hearing.
This incident follows the recent arrest of several Elmhurst juveniles involved in similar burglaries to residences, garages and vehicles occurring from March 2006 through January 2007.
Residents are reminded to lock their residences and vehicles. Although force has been used to gain entry in some cases, many involved entry when areas were unlocked. Also, as in this recent case, please dial 911 to report any suspicious circumstances or noises.
Anyone with further information related to this incident can contact Detective Commander Buenz at 630-530-3074.
PRESS RELEASE
01/24/07
The Elmhurst Police Department has identified five juveniles who are responsible for numerous burglaries in south Elmhurst. The burglaries included over thirty residential burglaries and five separate burglaries to schools. The burglaries began on May 05, 2006, and ended on January 21, 2007, when a burglary at a school, lead to the identification of the suspects.
Several of these break-ins occurred late at night. In some cases, the suspects entered the homes when people were sleeping. These "cat-burglaries" were so unusual that the police department initiated a "Reverse 9-1-1" automatic phone call to over 3,000 residences in an area bounded by St. Charles Road on the north, Madison Street on the south, Route 83 on the west, and 1-294 on the east. The "Reverse 9-1-1" call warned residents to secure their houses, leave outside lights on and report any suspicious activity to the police. In addition to the "Reverse 9-1-1", the police department provided extra patrol, surveillance and investigative follow-up.
The five juvenile suspects are Elmhurst residents. The investigation into these burglaries continues and it is anticipated that the suspects will be charged as juveniles.
BURGLARY INVESTIGATION
11/07/06
The Elmhurst Police Department continues to investigate several overnight residential burglaries, burglary to motor vehicle and garage burglaries in the area of Crescent Park subdivision and nearby neighborhoods. These burglaries occurred during the overnight hours in the months of August and October and remain a constant focus of ongoing investigation. The majority of these crimes occurred to unlocked structures and vehicles. In addition to this series of crimes, the Elmhurst Police Department has made several arrests of suspects believed responsible for recent residential and car burglaries occurring throughout the City.
- On September 5, 2006, during the nighttime hours, several unlocked vehicles in the 400 block of Ridge were entered and property was removed. Evidence recovered at these scenes linked John J. Ryan, age 19, of 846 Hawthorne, Elmhurst, Illinois, to these crimes. Mr. Ryan was arrested on October 20, 2006, for one count of burglary and is currently incarcerated at the DuPage County Jail on $50,000.00 bond.
- On September 21, 2006, during the early morning hours, several unlocked vehicles in the 300 block of Fairview were entered and property was removed. Items such as cellular phones, compact discs and backpacks were removed from these vehicles. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Shane C. Sellergren, 17 years of age, of 4739 N. Harding, Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Sellergren was charged with one count of burglary. He surrendered himself on those charges and was released on bond pending his court date.
- On October 11, 2006, during the early morning hours, several unlocked vehicles were entered in the 200 block of East Grantley. Subsequent investigation resulted in the arrests of Carl J. Schuelke, 19 years of age, 2951 N. Wolf Road, Melrose Park, Illinois, and, Ronnie J. Levandowski, 22 years of age, of 3006 Alta, Northlake, Illinois. During this investigation, proceeds from several burglaries that occurred in Leyden Township were recovered. Both Schuelke and Levandowski were charged with one count of burglary. Carl Schuelke has been released on bond while Ronnie Levandowski remains incarcerated at the DuPage County Jail on $30,000 bond.
- On October 23, 2006, at 2:20 PM, a witness observed a male enter a residence in the 600 block of Washington. A garage door code was used to gain access to the unlocked residence. The witness then observed the male leave the residence, carrying several black bags that appeared to be full of items. The suspect, who was accompanied by a female, fled the scene prior to police arrival. The suspect was later arrested in Fox Lake for cashing checks he had stolen from the residence. Subsequent investigation resulted in the charge of one count of burglary against Christopher J. Burnett, 26 years of age, of 115 Nippersink, Fox Lake, Illinois. The female suspect will be charged at a later date. All property reported taken in this burglary was recovered.
- On November 3, 2006, at approximately 11:00 PM, police responded to a residential burglary in the 100 block of Orchard. The suspect entered an unlocked residence, was confronted by the homeowner, and fled the scene. The suspect then ran down the block, entering a second unlocked residence, taking money and the homeowner's vehicle. Subsequent investigation resulted in the recovery of a vehicle reported stolen from Park Ridge and proceeds from additional burglaries that had occurred in Burr Ridge, Addison, and Park Ridge. Receipts found among these proceeds led police to the neighborhood where the suspect was believed to reside.
Investigators initiated surveillance, which resulted in the recovery of the vehicle stolen from Elmhurst and the suspect's apprehension. He is identified as Allan Gooden, 36 years of age, whose last known address was 4924 Kamerling, Chicago. Gooden, who was currently on parole for stealing a motor vehicle, was charged with one count of residential burglary and one count of theft of a motor vehicle. Gooden is currently incarcerated in the DuPage County Jail.
Citizens are reminded that while apprehensions have been made in these instances, investigations are on-going with respect to other incidents throughout the city. The Elmhurst Police Department encourages all residents to take steps to help prevent themselves from becoming potential targets of crime. Simple things such as locking the doors of your residences and vehicles, and, keeping your outdoor porch lights on, can be discouraging for would-be burglars. Be aware of your neighborhood, know who belongs and who may not and don't hesitate to call 911 should you notice someone, or something, suspicious. Officers will respond to your calls and investigate the circumstances. With your assistance, we can keep our community safe.
THEFT BY DECEPTION
06/09/06
The Elmhurst Police Department is investigating a theft by deception which occurred on June 8, 2006, at 12:30 pm.
The female victim was approached in the parking lot of the Chernin Shoe Store, 1953 N. Mannheim Road, Melrose Park, when she was approached by (2) male/Hispanic offenders who said they needed help in cashing in a winning lottery ticket. The offender told the victim he was not able to cash the ticket because he was not a citizen. Offenders convinced the victim to help by giving them cash and jewelry as security for the winning ticket. Once the ticket was cashed, the offenders promised to share a portion of the winnings with the victim. Offenders went as far as stating the jewelry they would be borrowing would be able to be appraised at the Illinois Lottery office and returned to the victim after that time.
In the Elmhurst incident, the victim allowed the offenders to ride with her to her bank in Elmhurst where she withdrew $5,000.00 in cash, and, in addition, provided the offenders with approximately $30,000.00 in jewelry from her home. Once the victim had completed her bank withdrawal and given the money to the men, they fabricated a story to leave the area, at which time they fled on foot, quite possibly to a waiting vehicle in the area.
Offenders in the Elmhurst incident are both described as Male/Hispanic, approximately 5'08", medium build, with black hair. Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Elmhurst Police Department at 630-530-3079.
Other crimes of this nature have been occurring throughout the Chicagoland area where offenders present a similar "winning lottery ticket" story to the victims and offenders then flee with the proceeds. Offenders in those incidents are described as being a team of 2 male Hispanics; or, 2 male Hispanics and a female Hispanic; or, 1 male and 1 female Hispanic.
Typically, the offenders target female victims while they are shopping or are in the parking lot of a store. Several of the victims are of Hispanic or Italian heritage. In several of the incidents, offenders spoke two languages.
The public is urged to not allow themselves to fall victim to this scam or others like it. In making the public aware of such scams, we hope to prevent others from becoming victims. Should you know of someone who may be vulnerable to such a crime, please inform them of these situations and instruct them to contact their local authorities immediately if approached. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.