Police Reports: Phony Wilmette invoices; stolen park bench; gas station burglary

The following reports were pulled from the latest incident summaries provided by law enforcement departments in our coverage area (Wilmette, Winnetka, Highland Park, Northfield, Kenilworth, Glencoe and Skokie).

WILMETTE

• Pretending to represent the Village of Wilmette, scammers recently have attempted to collect payments via email, according to an alert from the Village. The alert says the scammers have emailed businesses and residents claiming to be from the Village’s Community Development Department and asking for permit fees via wire transfer. The Village logo and other information reportedly have been used in the ruse. Police warn residents to look out for “common scam warning signs,” such as requests for immediate payment, including “FINAL NOTICE” verbiage; messages with unexpected invoices and attachments; requests for personal information, such as login credentials and social security numbers; and requests for payment via phone, wire or gift cards. The Village of Wilmette does not accept payment via phone, the alert says. Upon receiving a suspicious message, the Village recommends community members contact Village Hall at (847) 251-7200 and avoid responding to or engaging with the message.

March 14

• An individual was arrested for allegedly throwing a rock through a window of a home in the 1400 block of Wilmette Avenue.

March 12

• Several items reportedly were stolen from a business in the 3200 block of Lake Avenue.

• A decorative statue reportedly was stolen from a common area of a building in the 1600 block of Sheridan Road.

March 11

• An individual was charged with burglary for allegedly burglarizing a Wilmette garage in the 1500 block of Ridge Road in October 2025.

WINNETKA

March 14

• Two unlocked cars reportedly were stolen from a driveway of a home in the 800 block of Bryant Avenue. The cars were later recovered in another community, according to police.

March 11

• More than $5,000 in merchandise reportedly was stolen from the BP station at 1025 Tower Road. Access reportedly was gained via forced entry.

• A park bench valued at $3,500 reportedly was stolen from Indian Hill Park, 131 Wilson St.

GLENCOE

No reported incidents between March 4-11 that meet The Record’s standards for publication.

HIGHLAND PARK

No reported incidents between March 9-15 that meet The Record’s standards for publication.

NORTHFIELD

March 14

• A motorist was arrested for allegedly leaving the scene of a car accident after striking a pedestrian at the intersection of Willow and Waukegan roads.

KENILWORTH

No incidents reported between March 7-13. March 10

SKOKIE

March 10

• Police recovered a stolen car around 4:33 p.m. in the 4900 block of Old Orchard Center.

March 8

• Property reportedly was stolen from a car in the 5200 block of Coyle Avenue.

March 7

• Property reportedly was stolen from a car sometime between March 7-9 in the 3300 block of Howard Street.

• A car reportedly was burglarized sometime between March 6-7 in the 10000 block of Bronx Avenue.

The Record’s police reports are taken from police-activity summaries prepared by local police departments. Police Reports contain public information from preliminary reports and are not a complete listing of all police activity. The Record does not publish the names of individuals arrested and named in preliminary reports unless the incident is a matter of public safety or has significant community implications. All arrestees are innocent until proven guilty.

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