Friday Blotter: Bomb Squad Visits Skokie

Bomb squad visits Skokie

The Waukegan Police Department  notified Skokie police that Katherine Brandt, 23, of the 7800 block of Niles Avenue, was wanted on assault and possession of explosives on March 2. Officers were informed that Brandt might have sticks of dynamite in her pickup truck.

Police located Brandt and her vehicle near the Aldi supermarket in the 4800 block of Oakton Street. After admitting to having a “half stick of dynamite” in her vehicle, Skokie police called in the Cook County bomb squad to investigate and recover any explosives, according to the report.

The fire department was also called and a section of the parking lot was condoned off as a precaution.

Ultimately, the bomb squad found more than 37 grams of black powder that tested positive for explosives. Brandt was arrested at the scene and charged with felony unlawful use of a weapon.

Brandt told police that she received the dynamite back in July from a neighbor and wasn’t sure why she kept it in her car, according to the report.

Theft from motor vehicle

A vehicle parked in the 8700 block of Karlov Avenue was burglarized on March 3 around 7:30 p.m. According to the report, the car was unlocked and a spare key to the victim’s second car was taken.

Woman reports seeing gun

A woman reported to police that she saw a couple walking in the 8100 block of Kostner Street with a pistol on March 2 around 2 p.m. According to the report, the woman crossed paths with the couple and described seeing a large portion of the weapon. The duo later got in a gold colored sedan and drove eastbound on Cleveland Street.

The suspects were described as a male and female Asian, between the ages of 30 and 40. The man was wearing a trench coat.

Another purse stolen

A woman who placed her purse on the back of her chair while dining at Corner Bakery in Old Orchard reported her wallet was stolen on March 2. According to the report, several purchases were made on the victim's credit card at Bed Bath & Beyond, Jewel and Target before the card was denied at Best Buy in Skokie. Police are advising women to keep their purses in plain view.