Crime Prevention Tips and Alerts

Suspicious Incidents
The River Forest Police Department has had three suspicious incidents between 7/10/08 and 7/22/08 in which teenaged girls were approached or followed on the way to school.

The first incident involved a subject who approached a 14 year old girl walking to school at approximately 7:20 AM-7:50 AM on 07/10/08. The subject, a male African-American, light complexion, hair in thick light brown corn-row style braids, was driving a tan or beige 4-door vehicle in the area of Augusta and Ashland.

The second and third incidents involved a male white, olive complexion, mid 30’s, with a dark mustache and goatee, who was driving a red van with firefighter plates (subject is not a fire fighter). The subject was in the area of the 7500 block of Division on 07/11/08 at 8:30 AM and followed an 18 year old girl. He then asked the girl if she wanted a ride and after she refused, he drove away east-bound Division. The subject was stopped and questioned by the police, however no charges could be filed against him. This same subject was involved in a third incident on 07/22/08 at approximately 8:00 AM in the area of Greenfield/Jackson and also followed a teenaged girl. During this incident he was driving a silver Range Rover with bubble tail lights at the rear of the vehicle.

If you are approached by a suspicious subject:

• Keep your distance from the subject and immediately get away from the subject!
• Never walk up to a subject’s vehicle or get into their vehicle!
• Call the police as soon as possible and try to remember as many features about the person and vehicle as possible!

*ANYONE HAVING OR NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT THE RIVER FOREST POLICE CRIME PREVENTION UNIT AT (708) 366-7125.

Protect Yourself Against Unlicensed Locksmiths
The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation is seeking the assistance from the public in addressing a safety issue that has been affecting more Illinoisans than ever before- the growing proliferation of unlicensed locksmith activity. Certain individuals and companies are attempting to take advantage of desperate homeowners who have been inadvertently locked out of their homes, or who have had to change the locks on their doors due to break-ins, fraud or other illegal activities that have compromised their security.

If you should ever need the services of a locksmith you should first verify that the individual and or company is a licensed Locksmith Agency by checking the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation up to date web site at www.IDFPR.com. Please note that this list is compiled alphabetically by county. You may also call their office Monday through Friday (217) 782-8556. If you should have any questions regarding this information you can contact the River Forest Police Crime Prevention Unit at 708 366-8500 ext 343.