Law & Order column: Waukegan man distributed fraudulent license plate cards, police say

Waukegan police remain on the hunt for a man they say was creating fraudulent car registration information.

According to court files, an active arrest warrant remains in effect for Reuben Collier, 61, of Waukegan.

On Oct. 3, police executed a search warrant at a small office at 3042 Sunset Avenue after an investigation indicated that numerous false temporary license plate cards had been issued there by Collier.

According to police, they called Collier when officers entered the office, but he declined to surrender to police. Inside the office, police said, they found evidence of fraudulent registrations for vehicles, as well as other evidence.

Police said they began their investigation in conjunction with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office after receiving reports of fake temporary license cards being reported in Waukegan and other places in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

People would go to Collier for title transfer and vehicle registration paperwork, police said. Collier would collect money, ranging from $600 to $1,000, and then give people the temporary out-of-state license card, authorities said.

Collier, who is not a licensed representative of the Secretary of State, would usually not forward the money to the agency, police said.

Authorities urge victims of the alleged crimes to contact the Waukegan Police Department Traffic Division at (847) 599-2567 and file a report.

Burglary foiled

A Lake County sheriff’s deputy arrested a Wisconsin woman who was trying to enter a Beach Park convenience store by kicking in the door, police said.

Anya Latrice Taylor, 19, of Racine, was charged with attempted burglary and criminal damage to property.

The sheriff’s office said a deputy was on patrol at around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Sheridan Road and Beach Road when he saw Taylor attempting to kick in the front glass door of a gas station on Sheridan Road.

The officer pulled into the parking lot and took Taylor into custody.

Sheriff John Idleburg lauded the work of Deputy Carlos Marquina.

“His quick actions and commitment to duty highlight the professionalism and dedication our deputies bring to keeping Lake County safe,” Idleburg said.

Phone scam

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents about a scam perpetrated by someone posing as a deputy, who calls people and tries to get them to pay money, ostensibly to satisfy a fine to avoid jail time for a missed court date.

The caller identifies himself by name, using the name of an actual deputy named Brad Meister, but LCSO said the calls are bogus. If you receive such a call, you should hang up immediately and contact the sheriff’s office, authorities said.

Driver beware

With Halloween fast approaching, Waukegan police are letting the public know that they will be on the lookout for drunk and drugged drivers.

If you’re driving under the influence, tricks won’t keep you out of handcuffs, police said.

False alarm

Waukegan police said that a report of an assault rifle at Waukegan High School earlier this month turned out to be fake.

Emergency operators took a call on Oct. 10 saying someone with an assault rifle was inside the school. The call appeared suspicious, but police immediately made contact with school officials who placed the school on lockdown. Classes resumed after police and staff checked the building.

“At this time, we believe that this was a false call similar to police ‘swatting’ calls,” WPD said. “We remind people that when these ‘swatting’ incidents occur, they take up a lot of resources, therefore taking away from other duties and assignments in the city.”