Des Plaines Police Blotter: Woman Duped Out of $5,800

Women, 81, Duped Out of $5,800

An 81-year-old Des Plaines woman received a phone call Friday morning, Aug. 9 from a man who introduced himself as Morgan and claimed to be from her bank, First Merit.

Police reports stated that the man said someone was illegally taking money out of her account. He told her the only way to catch the thief would be to set up a dummy account in her name, and he gave her directions to withdraw money, meet his associate in the parking lot and hand him the cash, so they could track it.

The woman went to the bank, made out a check for $5,800 to cash, cashed it, and delivered the money to a man in the parking lot of the Des Plaines Library at about 12:45 p.m.

The man said he would get the money to his boss as soon as possible.

Vehicle Windshield Smashed

The windshield of a 1993 gray Cadillac Fleetwood was smashed by a large rock while it was parked legally on the street at 39 W. Lancaster.  A passerby discovered it Sunday morning. The owner said she had parked the car there at 10 p.m. on Saturday evening, Aug. 10.

Man Charged With Cannabis Possession After Traffic Stop

Steven Pena, 29, of Bensenville, was charged with possession of cannabis Aug. 9 after police stopped him at about 9:45 p.m. for traffic violations, they said.

Officers noticed the odor of cannabis coming from the car,  and one saw what looked like cannabis in full view on the front seat, according to the report.  Police told Pena to exit the vehicle. Police said it field-tested positive for cannabis.