RESOURCES

Attention Everyone,
> A recent theft has been reported at Antiques on East
> State in Rockford. A couple came in and was being
> shown jewelry in a locked case. After they left
> without purchasing anything the dealer was
> straightening the case (it was her own case she was
> showing from) and noticed three rings missing, valued
> at apx. $800 total. Once again the ploy of
> distraction while more than one customer within
> reaching distance of the merchandise.
> Within a the week the couple attempted to return to
> the mall. They were recognized and told they were not
> allowed to come back in per mall security. They ran
> across the parking lot, hopped into their car and
> drove off.
>
> DESCRIPTION OF THIEVES: Young couple in their early
> 20's.
> Male is thin, dark haired, and has tatoos on his arms
> and around his neck. He was wearing baggy dark jeans
> and a dark t-shirt.
> Female has blond hair and a tatoo on the back of her
> neck. She is big chested.
>
> DESCRIPTION OF VEHICLE: black Mercedes type sport car
> - no visible license plates
>
>
>
>
>
> SECOND ALERT: Please E-Mail For Names
>
> Beware of Walter _______/Susan ______ doing business as
>_______ Publications Ltd., listed address of ________
> Clark Street, Chicago, IL
>
> If you come into contact with the above people BEWARE.
> Walter ______ and his girlfriend, Susan ______ have
> scammed many people, the latest being an elderly
> couple, for large amounts of money. He is also know
> for writing bad checks.
>
> ; There is a bad check case with the Winnebago County
> States Attorney as well as other victims looking for
> him. Do not do business with them and please let us
> know if you have information on them.
>
>
>
> THIRD ALERT:
> Freeport, IL
>
> Local police are investigating nine forgery cases
> where counterfeited $50 & $100 bills were used at
> Freeport businesses to purchase goods.
>
> Authorities believe the cases are related and that a
> female suspect was involved in all of the incidents.
> In at least two cases the suswpect was caught on
> security videotape making a transaction. No arrests
> have been made.
>
> The suspect is described as a short black woman with a
> light complexion and slim build.
>
> Authorities believe she may have been working with
> others and is likely from outside the area.
>
> The forgeries occured beetween June 10 and June 12 at
> a variety of food, gas and other stores.
>
> The counterfeit technique used in these cases was
> sophisticated. In each case a $5 bill was immersed in
> chemicals to wash the ink off. Then a larger
> denomination - a $50 or $100 bill - was imprinted on
> this paper.
>
> These counterfeits would pass the pen test that most
> merchants use to check authenticity. However if the
> bills are held up to a light the security strip on a
> $5.00 bill is on the left through the seal image and
> the watermark is Ben Franklin. A real $50 or $100
> bill will have the security strip in a different
> location and should not have Ben Franklin as the water
> mark!
>
> It would be in your best interest to look over
> authentic bills with all your counter staff and become
> familiar enough to ident ify the forgeries.
>
> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
>
> In closing . . . please continue to be alert. As time
> passes without incident it is human nature to become
> lax. While we may never be able to stop theft, we
> must continue to be observant and alert to keep
> ourselves from being an easy target.
>
>
> Thank you . . . .
> Gaylene Stomberg
> Roscoe Antique Mall of South Beloit