Police Blotter: Attempted Break-In at School, Ruse Burglary, Fake $50 Bill

FRIDAY, FEB. 24

Another Ruse Burglary

Homeowners in the 15200 block of Arroyo are out $15,000 after someone rifled through their bedroom dressers and stole the money. The couple thought they had avoided a ruse burglary by a man posing as a new neighbor asking to measure their yard, but later found the money missing from envelopes in their dresser drawer. The man carried out a short conversation with them, then left the property. An additional $7,000 in unknown denominations was also taken from an adjacent dresser.

THURSDAY, FEB. 23

Fake $50 Bill

A woman used a counterfeit $50 to pay for a pack of cigarettes and a lighter at a 7-11. The woman told police she was not aware the bill was bogus, and the cashier decided not to press charges. He asked that the woman return the $39.63 in change handed to her after the purchase. No charges were filed.

TUESDAY, FEB. 21

Attempted School Break-in

Someone tried to pry open the doors of Scarlet Oak Elementary School between Feb. 17 and Feb. 21, according to reports. The person removed three plastic moldings, exposing the safety glass and leaving behind pry marks. Police will review video surveillance of the door for tips.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22

Vodka Down the Pants

A man suspected of stealing from Jewel twice in the preceding two weeks did it again, according to video surveillance. Isaiah Johnson, 20, of Oak Park, was recorded sticking two bottles of Ciroc Vodka inside his jacket. When stopped by officers, police found four additional bottles of Belvidere Vodka tucked inside his waistband. The goods were valued at $200 and Johnson was charged with retail theft.

Police Blotter information is provided by the . Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.