Police Report Two More Smash-and-Grab Robberies at Whitlock Park

The following incidents and arrests were reported by the Downers Grove Police Department:

Bike taken from garage

A blue FUJI bicycle valued at $500 was taken from a garage in the 1900 block of Loomes Avenue between midnight and 9 a.m. June 19. The homeowner believes the garage door had been left open.

Items taken from unlocked car

Items valued at $2,900 were taken from an unlocked car in the 5100 block of Grand Avenue between 9 p.m. June 19 and 5:15 a.m. June 20. The car owner found a car door slightly ajar, the face plate of the stereo lying on the front seat, and the speaker wires hanging. A speaker, camera and extra lens, two pairs of Oakley sunglasses, and a GPS unit were taken from the car.

Cars burglaries at Whitlock Park

Windows were shattered and items valued at $2,700 were taken from two cars at Whitlock Park, 4064 Cumnor Road, between 6:20 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. July 20. Police were called by a man who noticed broken windows on two cars as he walked through the parking lot. When police arrived one of the cars’ owners reported only being at the park for a few minutes and returning to the car to find the windows shattered. The police report did not indicate what was taken from each car but a list of property included driver’s licenses, credit cards, a passport, an Apple computer, a Nikon camera, iPod, Gucci sunglasses, gift cards and $20 in cash. On July 21, Villa Park police found some of the items, which were retrieved by Downers Grove Police.

Coins taken from unlocked car

About $10 in coins were taken from an unlocked car in the 6200 block of Park Avenue between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. June 21. The owner of the car said her mother’s locked car was not entered but fingerprints on the freshly washed car indicated someone had peered in the windows of the car.

Attempted phone scam reported

A resident in the 600 block of Claremont Drive came to the police station at noon June 21 to report a suspicious call received between 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. from someone claiming to be his grandson, asking him to send $3,800 to Mexico City.

The caller stated “Gramps, this is your oldest grandson” and proceeded to tell the man he was in Mexico and had a broken nose from a hit-and-run accident. He said his insurance would not send money to another country and he needed the money for airfare back to New York.

The resident told the caller 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 man received another call from the same person saying the money should be sent Mexico City, District of Mexico Western Union, but when the man asked for a phone number to call back, the caller said he was making the calls from 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.

The resident told police he called his daughter, who informed him his grandson was fine and the call was probably a scam. Police advised the resident to inform the caller that authorities were notified. The resident later told police he received another call at 1 p.m. and reported the caller hung up immediately when told police were called.

Bike taken from behind storage facility

A man reported his GT bike, valued at $200 was stolen from behind Safe-T-Storage, 433 Maple Ave., around 1 p.m. June 21. The bike was left unlocked as the man went into a residence on Burlington Avenue to pick up some water. As he returned for the bike, he saw a man taking it and riding eastbound down Burlington Avenue.

The man was described as being in his mid-30s with a thick build and wearing a dark do-rag on his head, a white t-shirt and brown shorts. An officer drove the victim to the Fairview and Cass Avenue train depots to look for the bike, but it was not found.

Fraudulent debit card use

A resident in the 7800 block of Queens Court reported his debit card was used to make an unauthorized online purchase for $462 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. June 21. The man learned of the charge when discovering his checking account had insufficient funds. The online charge was still pending and the man told police he was uncertain of where the purchase was being shipped.

Mailbox blown to pieces

A mailbox in the 4100 block of Venard Road was damaged between 8 p.m. June 21 and 9 a.m. June 22. Only the base of the mailbox was left on the post, which was found across the street from the home. Police said a burn hole on the base indicates an explosive, such as a firework, was used to explode the mailbox.

Car’s tires slashed, body spray painted

Police said four tires valued at $400 were flattened and spray paint was used to make orange squiggly lines on the roof and sides of a car in the 1500 block of Richards Avenue. The owner parked the car in the driveway at 1:30 a.m. June 22 and her brother noticed the damage at 1:40 a.m. Police found a one inch slash on one of the tires and reported the car sustained about $500 in paint damage.

Spare tire missing, door lock damaged on car

A spare tire valued at $300 was taken and the driver’s lock damaged between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. June 22 while a car was parked in a parking garage in the 3000 block of Highland Avenue. Police believe the car was entered because the armrest compartment and glove box were found open, but nothing was missing. Damage to the lock was estimated at $100.

Patch reports on law enforcement activity 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 at elaine@Patch.com so we can follow up on the case.