WITH THE START OF THE NEW YEAR 2013 AND THE CLOSE OF 2012, ANDY
ANDERSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LAKE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS,
WOULD LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT PAT QUINN, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE
OF ILLINOIS, AND JESSE WHITE, SECRETARY OF THE STATE HAVE
PROCLAIMED JANUARY 2013 AS CRIME STOPPERS OF LAKE COUNTY MONTH
IN ILLINOIS.

ON THE TWENTY-FIRST DAY OF DECEMBER, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND AND TWELVE, AND OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS THE
ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY-FIFTH, THE PROCLAIMATION WAS SIGNED,
ALONG WITH THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AFFIXED TO IT.

NOW THAT 2012 IS BEHIND US AND 2013 BEGINS, THE NEW YEAR WILL AGAIN
UNDOUBTEDLY BRING MANY MORE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES FOR LAW
ENFORCEMENT, LAKE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF
LAKE COUNTY TO CONQUER.  LAKE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS LOOKS
FORWARD TO MEETING ALL THOSE CHALLANGES WITH EACH AND EVERY
COMMUNITY WITHIN LAKE COUNTY.

LAKE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS, THE LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND
YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE
TO CALL WHEN SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IS OBSERVED AND DO NOT TRY TO
CONFRONT SUSPICIOUS SUBJECTS YOUR SELF.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT A FELONY CRIME OR FELONY
FUGITIVE CONTACT CRIME STOPPERS AT 847-662-2222.

CALLERS ARE REMINDED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE TO IDENTIFY
THEMSELVES AND THAT THEY ARE ASSIGNED A SECRET CODED NUMBER
WHEN THEY SURRENDER INFORMATION.

IF YOUR INFORMATION LEADS TO AN ARREST YOU COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR
A CASH REWARD OF UP TO $1,000.00 DOLLARS.

SEE SOMETHING, HEAR SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING AND REMEMBER
"CRIME DOESN'T PAY; BUT CRIME STOPPERS DOES"

CRIME STOPPERS WANTS YOUR INFORMATION - NOT YOUR NAME.

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE LAKE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS STATISTICS
FROM JANUARY, 2012 THROUGH DECEMBER, 2012:

                            OVERALL CALLS RECEIVED :             890
                            BONA FIDE CALLS LOGGED:             320
                            CASES CLOSED:                                     433
                            ARRESTS:                                                172
                            DRUGS SEIZED:                        $375,417.57
                            PROPERTY RECOVERED:       $162,990.24
                            TOTAL RECOVERY:                 $538,407.81
                            WEAPONS (GUNS ONLY):                     57
                            CASH REWARDS:                      $29,700.00

IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT SINCE THE START OF LAKE COUNTY
CRIME STOPPERS ON APRIL 26, 1983 THROUGH DECEMBER 2012, THEY HAVE
LED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO MORE THAN $27 MILLION WORTH OF
CONTRABAND AND STOLEN PROPERTY.  NOW FOR THE ACTUAL CASH
REWARDS PAID DURING THE SAME TIME FRAME; WELL,
THAT FIGURE IS $918,323.00.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE LAKE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS -
GUN STOPPERS PROGRAMS CAN BE OBTAINED BY CALLING 847-662-2222,
8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M., EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS AN AUTOMATIC
ANSWERING DEVICE IS USED TO RECORD ANY INFORMATION PEOPLE WANT
TO LEAVE.  OTHER ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE
LAKE COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS WEB SITE WHICH IS
WWW.LAKECOUNTYCRIMESTOPPERS.COM

  PROCLAMATIONS WERE ALSO SIGNED AND SEALED BY MAYORS OF
VILLAGE OF MUNDELEIN AND VILLAGE OF GURNEE PROCLAIMING LAKE
COUNTY CRIME STOPPERS MONTH IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

("THE THREE PROCLAMATIONS CAN BE VIEWED UNDER THE
PROCLAMATION SECTION ON THE WEB SITE").


 

By CASSANDRA DOWELL - cdowell@shawmedia.com

Created: Monday, October 15, 2012 3:53 p.m. CDT

Comments (0)

 

Andy Anderson, executive director of Lake County Crime Stoppers, greets Suzanne Willet, chief of the drug prosecution unit at the Lake County State's Attorneys office, during an awards ceremony in Waukegan. (Sheryl DeVore -sdevore@shawmedia.com)

Protecting anonymity while helping to prevent crime in the local community is the goal of Lake County Crime Stoppers. The chapter of the international nonprofit Crime Stoppers gives concerned residents a safe way to report illegal activity.

Since the chapter's inception in Lake County in 1983 more than 9,600 cases have been solved because of tips called into the Mundelein-based LCCS's office. In the same time period about $27.5 million dollars worth of property has been recovered and more than $900,000 has been paid out in reward money.

 Local law enforcement officials and other LCCS board members were recognized during an awards luncheon Oct. 11.

Bruce Johnson, vice chair of Lake County Crime Stoppers and retired chief of police for Round Lake Park, said Crime Stoppers' dedication to upholding anonymity of those who call in tips is vital to the organization's success.

"Perpetrators may want to enact retaliation on those who give information to police," Johnson said. "It’s so important that there is an entity so that when people want to give information but remain anonymous they can."

Crime Stoppers works directly with local law enforcement to make sure the appropriate authorities are notified of any tips called in.

When a call is received by Crime Stoppers, it is logged with the date, time, and a brief summary of the caller's information.

Laurence B. Nosbaum, assistant police coordinator with Lake County Crime Stoppers, said the Lake County chapter receives tips daily.

"We average about 100 calls a week," Nosbaum said. "With any crime in the community this gives a buffer because you don't have to give personal information. In fact, we don't even want to know your name. It makes people feel more comfortable coming forward."

A telephone is manned daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by members of Crime Stoppers. At night and on weekends an automatic answering device is used to record any information people want to leave. If the call is a toll call, people can call Crime Stoppers collect.

Nosbaum said it's important for those who call in tips to provide as many descriptors as possible.

"We want full descriptions of people, cars – whatever you're seeing," he said.

It's important for community members to report suspicious activity rather than look the other way because it helps to "clean up your own community," Nosbaum said.

"Would you want to have a drug dealer or burglar living next store? Especially if you have young ones, [reporting suspicious or criminal activity] is taking care of your own neighborhood."

Eugene Childers, chairman of LCCS, said it takes every member of a community to promote safety – not just law enforcement.

"We want to make all our communities safe – and that can't be done by law enforcement alone," Childers said. "We need the help of all our communities. You'd be surprised what the average citizen knows."

If a caller's information results in the arrest and indictment of an offender or the apprehension of a fugitive, contact will be made with the caller and arrangements made so that the person can receive his or her reward in cash and preserve anonymity.

Barb Pretzman, treasurer with LCCS, said funds for rewards come from police departments, the courts, attorneys and private donors.

Johnson said tips can relate to a variety of crimes, such as theft, homicide, drug offenses, gun violations and others. Some tips have even helped to close cases in other states, he said.

Suzanne Willett, chief of drug prosecution unit for the Lake County State's Attorneys Office, said her office has prosecuted cases that began by someone calling in an anonymous tip.

For example, someone may be smelling cannibis from their neighbor's house and see lots of people going in and out – they call the anonymous Crime Stoppers line, and then Crime Stoppers lets local police departments know about it, Willett said.

"They collect evidence and then we charge [the offender]," she said. "We are such a large county. We need people to stand up and work together. Like they say, 'it takes a village.'"

To report a crime or to learn more about Lake County Crime Stoppers, call 847-662-2222 or visit www.lakecountycrimestoppers.com.

 


Special Announcement (July 17, 2012)


JUSTICE FOR GABBY!

$10,000 REWARD 
  For information leading to the arrest of the driver who STRUCK and KILLLED Gabriella Drozdz.   Lake County Crime Stoppers and the Lake Zurich Police Department are still asking for help in seeking information regarding the Lake Zurich teenager that was killed in
 a Hit-and-Run Accident.     On Friday, July 22, 2011 approximately 9:13 p. m. Lake Zurich Police Department responded to a reported pedestrian-vehicle traffic crash that occurred on Church
Street North of Jamie Lane.  Three pedestrians including Gabriella Drozdz, were walking South Bound on the gravel shoulder when they were struck by a vehicle traveling South Bound on Church Street.  The offending vehicle fled the area prior
to police arrival.  Gabriella suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash.

THe Lake Zurich Police Department continues to investigate this incident and request public support to identify the offending vehicle and driver.  As of today's date the offending vehicle and driver have not been identified.

Lake County Crime Stoppers with the support from the Drozdz family have increased
the reward for anyone providing information that leads to the arrest of the offender to $10,000.00.  A memorial sign with Gabriella's name has been posted at the crash site
in accordance with State Statute reminding everyone that reckless driving can kill incident people.

The Lake Zurich Police Department is seeking information on a vehicle of interest developed from evidence found at the scene.  The vehicle of interest is a two tone,
blue with a second light color possible gray or silver, 1985 - l994 Chevy Astro Van or
GMC Safari.  Damage to the vehicle at the time of the crash would include a broken headlight assembly and possibly minor body damage.  
  Lake County Crime Stoppers and the Lake Zurich Police Department would like to remind everyone to call when suspicious activity or a suspicious person is observed,
and do not try to confront suspicious subjects yourself.   If you have any information about this crime, contact Crime Stoppers at 847-662-2222
or Lake Zurich Police Department at 847-438-2349.

 

See Something, Hear Something, Say Something and remember;

"Crime Doesn't Pay; But Crime Stoppers Does".

  For other information etc - check out Lake County Crime Stoppers Web Site:  www.lakecountycrimestoppers.com   

 

 

         
            GMC Safari (Example)                  Right front light assembly       Chevrolet Astrovan (Example)

(Further examination of the evidence recovered from the scene shows that the right front yellow turn signal assembly is consistent with two models of vehigles, a GMC Safari and a Chevrolet Astrovan. The light as shown above, was only produced in the above configuration for vehicle years 1985 through 1994.)

  

HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION

Harry Dahms -- 68 years old                 Vehicle Belonging To Mr. Dahms

The Lake County Sheriff's Office is investigating the homicide of Henry Dahms of
unincorporated Newport Township from June 1, 2012.                                          

Mr. Dahms was last seen at his residence on May 31, 2012. He was last seen        
 wearing a black long sleve shirt, khaki cargo shorts and tan work boots.               

  Mr. Dalms was known to frequent the TA Truck Stop and Toor's Truck Stop on I-94
at Russell Road BP Gas Station at 8011 Sheridan  Road in Kenosha. Wisconsin,
the Bristol Route 45 Diner in Bristol, Wisconsin and the Restaurant 45 North in   
unincorporated Antioch Township.                                                                       

Anyone who may have seen Mr. Dahms (or his vehicle) on or after May 31, 2012
is urged to call the Lake County Sheriff's Office or the Lake County Crime Stoppers at 847-662-2222.                                                 

Lake County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $1000.00 for              
information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offender.                       

Lake County Sheriff's Office - Investigations Divisions
(847) 337-4250

 

 

Sheriff's deputies were stationed at each drop-off point in the county. The majority of handguns were revolvers, which Curran said are slowly becoming extinct because of the popularity of handguns with ammunition clips.