Posted: 8/13/03

Police investigate Internet fraud

Chief of Police David Schwartz has records to show that theft reports usually follow homes, business, autos and individuals.

But Forest Lakeís top cop is now facing a new kind of theft, one involving Internet fraud.

Police here are investigating a report of theft involving the Internet and Ebay. A Forest Lake woman is the victim, Schwartz stated.

Last week police here heard from the woman who was attempting to buy a 1998 Harley Davidson Fat Boy motorcycle advertised for sale on Ebay at a price of $8680, Schwartz said. As part of the purchase and delivery, Schwartz said the woman was instructed to wire $4535 via Western Union to a Danny Oge in Berlin, Germany. The woman complied but the cycle is yet to be delivered and Oge can not be found.

ìPeople have to be careful when making Internet purchases,î the chief warned.

Police and victim continue to work with Ebay but have no new leads, Schwartz said.

A motorcycle looking much like the one the local woman tried to buy is again listed on Ebay but for a price of $23,500.

In other crime news, police here, acting with information produced by a surveillance camera, have teamed with Chisago County deputies to recover items stolen from 18 units at McCullough Mini Storage on Aug. 8.

Criminal charges are pending in the case, the chief said.

Officers here also arrested a Wyoming woman after she was stopped at Wells Fargo Bank attempting to cash stolen checks. The woman, 22, faces theft and possession of controlled substance charges, Schwartz said.

More reports

In other reports, police are investigating:

ïA theft report at a residence at 9784 N. 210th St. on Aug. 7 where a utility trailer, generator and power washer were stolen.

ïA theft from a new home construction site on Clydesdale Curve east of Forest Lake High School on Aug. 6 where a generator valued at $1000 was stolen.

ïA residential burglary from the 7300 block of North Shore Trail N. where a computer, numerous power tools and golfing equipment were taken. Total loss of the items was set at $5000, police said.

ïA report of vandalism to an auto and the theft of a purse from the vehicle parked at Birchwood Health Care Center at midnight on Aug. 10.

ïThe theft of three lawn ornaments valued at $100 from a home in the 500 block of South Shore Drive on Aug. 8.

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