Friday Blotter: Craigslist Deception

Craigslist deception

A woman was scammed out of $2,600 after accepting a job she found on Craigslist on Sept. 7. According to the report, the woman saw an ad for a babysitting job in Skokie. After speaking to the poster via email, she was informed to purchase a wheelchair for the child she would be babysitting.

The following day the victim received a check via FedEx for $3,270.  She was instructed to keep about $650 for herself and mail the rest to a woman in Nevada, the report said. While the check initially cleared the victim’s bank, it would later be discovered that it was fraudulent. The woman’s bank would also inform her that she was responsible for any missing funds, the report said. By that time she had already sent the money to the woman in Nevada via Western Union.

No arrests were made.

Graffiti

Police responded to a criminal damage complaint in the 8300 block of Niles Center Road on Sept. 13. According to the report, the letters “KRO” were written on the side of a building.

Stolen auto

A plumbing truck was reported stolen from the 3400 block of Madison Avenue on Sept. 10.

Residential burglary

A woman came to the Skokie police station to report a burglary in Sept. 14. According to the report, four gold neckbands, three gold necklaces, three gold bracelets, two pearl necklaces and one diamond ring were reported stolen from her home.

DUI

Luis Gerardo Valerio, 34, of Chicago, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol on Sept. 10. Valerio was stopped in the 7200 block of McCormick Boulevard due to swerving, the report stated. He allegedly had a blood alcohol content level of .160, police said. His court date is Oct. 5.