If you sell something to a stranger on the internet, Evanston police have a better idea for concluding the sale without getting robbed, which happened in two incidents included in Thursday’s daily crime bulletin from the department.
Just tell your buyer to meet you at 1454 Elmwood Ave., which happens to be headquarters for the Evanston Police Department, and it’s available around the clock, including all workdays, holidays, and weekends.
If it’s something small and light, such as clothing, you can meet inside, while if it’s bigger, like an automobile, you can do it on the street in front of the police building.
“With robberies related to online transactions on the rise,” says Cmdr. Ryan Glew, “sellers and buyers are invited to come to the Evanston Police Department to complete online sales.”
Glew did have two caveats, however.
“Police department employees will not take part or assist in the completion of any sales, and transactions involving weapons of any kind are prohibited,” he said.
Now here are the details of Thursday’s crime bulletin:
ARMED ROBBERY
300 Dodge
A seller was robbed of clothing items he was selling when two subjects, including one with a gun, took the items without paying for them. This happened at about 11 a.m. on Wednesday.
2100 Noyes
A buyer took the Adidas shoes, plus additional cash, from the seller in the 2100 block of Noyes Street at about 12:30 p.m. on April 20.
BURGLARY
1200 Florence
A burglar gained entry to an unlocked garage in the 1200 block of Florence Street and stole two bicycles between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
GRAFFITI
Main at Sherman
Graffiti was discovered on the street near Main Street and Sherman Avenue at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Chicago at Kedzie
Graffiti was discovered on the street near Chicago Avenue and Kedzie Street at 10:09 a.m. Tuesday.
700 Ridge
Graffiti was discovered on the street in the 700 block of Ridge Avenue at 7:35 a.m. Thursday.
THEFT
2400 Howard
A pickpocket took a wallet and keys from a woman’s purse at the Jewel-Osco grocery store in the 2400 block of Howard Street at about 2 p.m. Thursday.
1500 Ashland
A package was stolen from a residence in the 1500 block of Ashland Avenue between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. Sunday.
1700 Ashland
A package was stolen from a residence in the 1700 block of Ashland Avenue between 5:49 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. on April 20.
2100 Sheridan
Someone entered the library of the Sheil Catholic Center in the 2100 block of Sheridan Road and ransacked unattended backpacks that contained wallets, computers, and computer hardware between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday.
TRAFFIC
119 Elmwood
Miriam H. Garcia Vilchis, 26, of 10345 Michael Todd Terrace, Glenview, was arrested at 119 Elmwood St. at 10:21 a.m. Friday and charged with driving under the influence.
831 Main
Brian A. Young, 35, of 2533 Jackson Ave., was arrested at 831 Main St. at 9:17 a.m. Tuesday and charged with a traffic violation.
Incidents listed appear among the official reports of the Evanston Police Department. An arrest does not constitute an assumption of guilt, which can only be determined by a court of law. Court appearances take place at Cook County 2nd District Court in Skokie.
Related Document: