Two Instances of Identity Theft Take Place

Henry Barron, 38, of Yorkville was charged Thursday with identity theft, a Class 3 felony, after a 35-year-old woman from Fort Worth, Texas, contacted Niles police on May 17 to say four unauthorized transactions on her debit card had occurred in a store in the 8500 block of Golf Road, Niles. 

The transactions charged $800 to her account, in the form of four gift cards at $200 apiece. 

A Niles detective reviewed video footage at the store and observed the offender purchasing the cards at a self-service checkout. Investigators learned the gift cards had been used to purchase items at bulk club stores in Oswego, Naperville and Addison. Detectives identified the offender and interviewed him at Cook County jail. His court date is Sept. 1 at the Cook County courthouse in Skokie.

Someone opens payday loan account in man's name

A 23-year-old Niles man reported Thursday he has received several collection agency letters asking him to repay a payday loan. The victim learned someone opened an online account with correct social security information but an incorrect date of birth.