An 82-year-old woman from 500 block of West Roosevelt Road lost $15,000 in an elaborate scam the afternoon of Dec. 29, in which two unknown offenders impersonated police officers and actually left the victim at the 1st District police station, 1718 S. State St.

According to the victim, two men approached her house, showed her a badge and identified themselves as Kankakee County probation officers. The men informed the woman that she had to go to the police station so as to identify two suspects.

But then the offenders took the victim to the bank — claiming that they were investigating whether the bank was giving counterfeit money to customers. The offenders next made the claim that they were working undercover and demanded the victim to withdraw $5,000 in cash. The victim also wrote two checks for $5,000 each. The victim then cashed the checks and gave the money to the offenders in a yellow envelope.

The offenders then transported the victim to the 1st District. One offender was driving with the victim in one car, while the second offender was driving in a separate car. The offenders then deserted the victim and when the victim checked the envelope that the offenders had returned to her it contained cut up newspapers and no money.

An officer then approached the victim, as she was crying and in distress. In addition to this incident, the victim told the officer that she was deceived out of money in a separate incident back in November.

An unknown male offender, with a woman as an accomplice, robbed a man arriving into Union Station Dec. 29 at 6 p.m. — after the victim had asked for a good place to eat.

The victim — arriving into town from Wildwood — approached a middle-age couple. The couple told the victim to follow them and they would show the victim a good spot to eat. So the victim and couple walked out of Union Station. Once outside the man said, “Let’s go across the street to the bank and get me some money or I’ll mess you up.”

The victim complied and withdrew $100 from an ATM. The offender then told the victim to follow him to a restaurant. The victim, again, complied and the offender then lifted his hoodie and shirt to reveal a revolver in his waistband. “I’m loaded, what you got, give it to me,” the offender said.

So the victim handed over his iPhone and $60. The offender then fled — with the woman — westbound. Police were unable to find the couple, but a camera by the ATM captured the incident.

A man was held up on the 300 block of South Wells Street Dec. 28 at around 3:15 p.m. An unknown offender approached the victim and engaged in conversation. Then, the offender displayed a metal gun and asked how much money the victim had on him. The offender then stole the victim’s money — which totaled $400 — and told the victim that someone would be following him.

The victim proceeded to travel home via CTA train and was able to safely return to the crime scene at about 5:05 p.m. after informing police.

A man was robbed leaving the Clinton Blue Line station, 426 S. Clinton St., on Dec. 31 at about 5:40 p.m. The victim told police that he was walking up the stairs from the underground platform, at which point an unknown offender pulled out a gun, reached into the victim’s pocket and pulled out his wallet. The offender then removed $60 from the wallet, threw it back toward the victim, and fled southbound on Clinton.

---

By jojodyDoe
Posted: 05/03/2013 8:01 AM

Does the suspect of this crime has a soul, for they victimized even a helpless old woman. I just hope this criminals will be caught as soon as possible. - YOR Health