Crime & Safety

Phone Scam: How Much Script and How Much Improv?

Here's this week's selection of police blotter items.

It's Not Just a Scam, It's a Short Story

DOWNERS GROVE, June 21—Shortly after 11 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Claremont Drive got a call from someone claiming to be his grandson, asking him to send $3,800 to Mexico City. The caller said, “Gramps, this is your oldest grandson.” The caller said he was in Mexico and had a broken nose from a hit-and-run accident. He said his insurance wouldn't send money to another country and he needed airfare back to New York.

The resident said he had $2,000 but would need to go to the bank for the rest. The caller asked him not to mention the incident to his mother, because she would worry, and then hung up. Ten minutes later, the same person called back, saying the money should be sent Mexico City, District of Mexico Western Union. When the resident asked for a phone number he could call back, the caller said he was using a pay phone that would not accept incoming calls. The caller said he would phone back at 1 p.m. to verify the money was sent.

Find out what's happening in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The resident called his daughter, who informed him his grandson was fine. Police advised the resident to inform the caller that authorities had been notified. The resident later told police that when he received the 1 p.m. call, the caller hung up immediately when told police had been called.

Wrong Zipper Code

Find out what's happening in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

LA GRANGE, June 21—Police received a call at 3:58 p.m. of someone urinating near the post office, 121 W. Hillgrove Ave., but an officer reported finding no one.

Difficult to See the License Plate

ELMHURST, June 21—A man in his 40s, with gray hair and a medium build, slightly injured another motorist during a traffic dispute at 7:58 p.m. in the area of Mitchell and Wilson streets. The complainant told police that he and the gray-haired man got out of their vehicles and began arguing. The gray-haired man snatched the victim’s glasses from his face, causing a cut and bruising, and damaging the glasses. The offender, who was wearing a T-shirt and cargo shorts, then fled south in a black Lexus SUV.

Crime and Punishment Didn't Make the List

ELMHURST, June 15—An Elmhurst resident reported to police at 2:55 p.m.  that on May 20 she lost her Elmhurst Public Library card, and it was used fraudulently to check out 41 DVDs and video games from the library, which have not been returned.

Step Too Far in Porch Dispute

ELMHURST, June 10—A resident of the 300 block of East Wilson Street told police a contractor was sending threatening text messages, regarding a dispute over payment for some work done at the home. At 1:48 p.m., the complainant received a text message saying “How’s my money looking? Did you think I forgot about it? You need to give me the money you owe me. If not, enjoy your porch while it is still there.” The offender was advised to have no more contact with the complainant. A no-trespass notice was served.

Thief Fast, Owner Slower, Bye-bye Mower

WHEATON, May 21—A resident in the 1500 block of Wilson Avenue told police he left his $560 lawnmower in the parkway in front of his home at around 12:15 p.m. and went to the backyard with a neighbor. They returned 10 minutes later to find the lawnmower gone, police said.

Patch reports on law enforcement activities in our town, using information provided by official agencies. Persons charged with a crime or issued a citation for violation of a local ordinance are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you or a family member are charged with a crime or cited for a violation and the charge or citation is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor of this Patch site so we can follow up on the case.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills