Police Report: Smash-And-Grab, Fraudulent Fundraiser

If you were recently approached about a magazine subscription to fund a senior class trip, chances are it was a scam.

Several residents reported door-to-door representatives from “Absolute Marketing” selling magazine subscriptions to fund a senior trip for Whitefish Bay High School. One woman wrote a check for $177 on Aug. 9, but she stopped payment when it was found to be a scam. Another resident said he stopped payment after writing two checks to the organization.

Two of the men going door to door on Lake Drive were cited Aug. 9 for solicitation without a permit. Two female solicitors were stopped by Shorewood police and were warned for soliciting without a permit.

In other police news:

• An unknown person stole a Coach purse and other valuables after breaking the window of a minivan at about 11 a.m. Friday in the east lot of . In addition to the purse, the suspect also stole a Coach wallet, credit cards, glasses and $100 in cash. The cards were canceled, but the suspect attempted to use the card at a gas station in the 4300 block of Fond du Lac Avenue in Milwaukee. Overall, the owner of the vehicle estimates the items are valued at $1,000.

• A bicycle was stolen from the bike rack behind at around 10 a.m. on Aug. 9. All squads reported to the area, but police were unable to locate the suspect, who is described as a male of approximately 50 years of age wearing a Chicago Cubs jersey. The bike is valued at $700.

• Election Day typically draws political fliers, advertisements and door-to-door volunteers, but one person had a more unique venue for getting out the vote on Aug. 9. At about 6 p.m., a caller complained of a vehicle driving through the 4700 block of North Woodruff Avenue making political statements. The vehicle was gone when police arrived.

• A 27-year-old Milwaukee man was cited for drunken driving just after midnight Friday in the 400 block of West Silver Spring Drive. His blood alcohol content measured 0.11 in the arrest at 12:25 a.m. Friday. He was also cited with operating without proof of insurance, operating after suspension and improper display of plates. His passenger, a 31-year-old Milwaukee man, was cited for not wearing his seatbelt.

• A 25-year-old Milwaukee man was cited for drunken driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.12 at 3:16 a.m. Sunday in the 4700 block of North Bartlett Avenue. He was also cited with failure to display license plate, non-registration auto, and operating without proof of insurance.

• A landscaping crew discovered a pistol in a tree trunk in the 4700 block of North Cramer Street at 10 a.m. Wednesday. No serial number was found on the gun. After disabling the pistol, it was placed in the police department’s evidence locker for destruction.