Hello Everyone.  This is the 18th East District newsletter for 2002.

 

Residential Burglaries

  • Prowler at 700 Pulley Dr. on 12/4/02 at 10:15pm. Resident went outside to smoke and observed a subject run from his open garage. Nothing taken. Suspect: M/W, 20's, 5'11", 175#, short brown hair, black pants and top.
  • 2800 Milwaukee St. between 12/9/02 - 12/13/02. Victim was out of town and left the back door unlocked.  When resident returned, he found Christmas gifts and checkbook missing.

 

Commercial Burglaries

  • Matt's Express, 2738 Progress Rd. on 12/13/02.

Michael B. Oblak, Cambria, WI and Matthew W. McCormick, Cottage Grove, WI, both employees of Matt’s Express, used their keys to enter the business after hours to take a company vehicle which they took to Middleton.  They were apprehended and subsequently arrested while burglarizing the Bruce Co.

 

Thefts

  • Theft from Auto at Meadows Apt., 200 N. Thompson Dr. on 12/4/02. Door handles and locks broken away from the door. Sony CD player taken.

 

Damage to Property

  • 1600 Wendy La. 1/4" holes in basement window and screen where projectile entered home. Similar incident reported on 11/16/02 to different window. Victim is unsure if this is additional damage from same incident or separate occurrence.

 

Miscellaneous

  • Armed Robbery at Bongo Video, 2733 Atwood Ave. on 12/13/02 at 1pm. Suspect: black male, approx. 35 yrs, 6'2", 175#, short hair, black thigh length winter coat, oversized and loose, grey "ratty" sweatpants w/ orange stitching, dark stocking cap. Suspect took case from register.
  • Attempted entry at 3800 Tulane St. on 12/15/02 at 9:15am. Complainant was staying at mother's resident while she was out of town when a white male, 15-18yrs, 5'5", 130#, blonde, knocked on the side door and tried "forcing his way in", but she pushed him back. He then stated that his mom lives on Tulane and he needed to use the bathroom. Complainant felt this was a ploy to get into the residence.
  • Report of shots fired in area of 5400 Park Meadows Dr. The caller refused police contact. Area checked and nothing was located.

 

Alert

 

We have been experiencing ongoing problems with a man going into back yards and unsecured garages and stealing recyclable materials. Typically he takes aluminum cans, but he will take any aluminum items including doors. He takes these items to the recycling center. He has been arrested for several such thefts, the last time was on 12/20 in the 2800 block of Union St. His name is Traval Bender. He is a black male, 23 years old, 6' 180#. He has been seen pushing a shopping cart

or riding a bike. Please call the non-emergency dispatch number, 255-2345, if you see him in your or your neighbor's yards. All of his arrests were the result of neighbors calling in his suspicious presence in a neighboring yard.

 

Traffic Enforcement

  • On Dec. 11, between 10 am and 11 am, 5 traffic team officers did speeding enforcement in the 3200 blk. of Atwood Av. They issued 19 citations.
  • Officer Bob Veatch reports the following enforcement during part of December.
    • 3400 Atwood Av..........3 citations 1 warning
    • 4200-4300 Buckeye Rd...1 citation
    • 3200-3300 E. Washington....1 citation, 2 warnings
    • E. Washington and Fair Oaks...Intersection violations...2 citations, 1 warning

 

Drunk Driving Arrests

 

Here is a sample of our recent OWI arrests.

  • One of the Drug and Gang Task Force officers was on the Beltline near Hwy 51, on December 6, at approx. 7:45pm. The officer saw a car traveling over 90 mph, switching lanes numerous times and almost side swiping other cars. Just as the officer was about to turn his red lights on, the driver lost control and the car spun in a complete circle coming to rest on the shoulder of the Beltline.  Fortunately, the car did not strike any other vehicles.  The officer contacted the 27 yr old male driver who when asked, estimated his speed at 60 mph. The driver was eventually charged with speeding, driving with a revoked license and his 3rd drunk driving charge.  He tested .18.
  • On 12/19, at 6:30p, Officers Adria Ehly and Ryan Orvis responded to a hit & run accident in the 5100 blk. of Milwaukee St. A parked vehicle had been struck.  A witness advised us that the suspect vehicle had parked a little further down Milwaukee St. When officers checked out the vehicle, they found the male driver passed out behind the wheel. The 30 year old man refused the breath test. It is his first arrest for OWI.
  • On 12/23, at 3am, Off. White responded to a report of a car stopped in the middle lane of the 3700 block of E. Washington. The driver was passed out behind the wheel. The car was running and in drive and the doors were locked. After several moments the Officer was able to wake up the driver. While the driver was trying to figure out how to open the windows, he accidently unlocked the doors, allowing the officer to contact him. The 30 year old man tested .18. It is his second OWI arrest.

 

Juveniles Arrested Stealing From Cars

 

On 12/30/02, at 10:30p. Officers Dao Xiong and Shane Olson responded to a report of 2 juveniles breaking into cars in the lot of 304 Parkwood La. Off. Xiong spotted the 2 juveniles running through backyards a short distance away. The boys, ages 12 & 13, admitted they were looking for unlocked cars and taking things from them. They then popped the trunk and checked for more items. The boys did not bother any locked cars. One of the boys had been drinking alcohol. 12 vehicles were identified as entered by the boys. The boys indicated they had done this numerous times. They identified a third boy who sometimes steals with them. Recovered stolen items included: 2- 35mm cameras, cigarettes, leather jacket, personal CD player, cell phone, liquor bottle and keys. Thanks to the alert citizens who noticed the boys acting suspicious in the parking lot.

 

Common Con Games and Scams

 

The following are some fraud prevention tips along with some common con game.  This information was compiled by Officer Jason Ostrenga.

 

Persons who commit fraud have somewhat different demographic characteristics than most other types of criminals. 43% of those arrested for fraud are female, which is far greater than the proportion of females arrested for other crimes.  Approximately 41%of fraud arrests are for middle aged persons (30-50 yrs old).  Of fraud arrest, 85% are white and 16% are black. Thus, of persons arrested for fraud, they are generally older, white and a significant proportion are female.

 

Con Games:

 

  • “Bank Examiner" Scam:  There are many versions of this con game, but the basic premise is the same.  A person posing as a bank or law enforcement official will ask a victim to make a withdrawal from a bank account in order to detect wrongdoings at the bank or to catch a criminal. Most often, the culprit makes telephone contact at home.  After identifying himself as the bank examiner of law enforcement officer who is investigating a dishonest employee at the victim's bank, he requests the victim to make a cash withdrawal and to meet him at a predetermined location.

 

How to avoid:

--Do not discuss finances with strangers.

--Do not withdraw money on the advice of strangers.

--Immediately report to the police or your bank's security department anyone telephoning and claiming he is a bank examiner.

 

Under no circumstances will bank officials, police, or the FBI request you to withdraw funds.

 

  • Home Improvement Frauds:  Discount roof cleaning, driveway repairs, electrical work, and plumbing repairs are common scams. Some like to prey on the elderly by quoting an extremely low price for jobs and upon completion demand a higher price.

 

How to avoid:

--Check out contractors with Better Business Bureaus and state or local licensing agencies.

--Do not be pressured into signing any agreements or contracts.

--Take bids for the work from several contractors.

--Never sign a certificate of completion unless all work is performed to your satisfaction.

--Always fill out checks yourself.

--Never sign and give a contractor a blank check.

--All work to be completed must be in the contract. "Promised Work" is not valid for a complaint.

 

  • Credit Card Fraud:  Credit card frauds continue to increase. The most common consumer oriented frauds are:

--Imprinting a larger amount than the actual purchase.

--Imprinting two vouchers; one for the actual transaction, the other to be used later when a fraudulent amount is entered, a signature is forged, and the voucher is submitted for payment.

--Using valid credit card numbers obtained from the carbon paper inserts of the voucher for mail or phone orders.

 

How to avoid:

--Compare the imprinted and handwritten amounts before signing.   --Retain all vouchers and reconcile your account monthly.             --Retain and destroy all carbon paper inserts.

--Report lost cards immediately.

 

I hope all of you have a wonderful and safe holiday season.  Be careful. Be safe.

 

Captain Jilene Klubertanz