McHenry County Blog

from the Spring Grove Police Department:

A report of a possible child abduction occurred in unincorporated Spring Grove.

School and transportation personnel have been notified.

An incident in unincorporated Spring Grove (Lotus Woods Subdivision) reportedly took place recently that is worth reporting to you.

A male, driving a black work van and wearing a black ski mask, approached a 12 year old male after being dropped off at his school bus stop. The offender pulled alongside the child and asked for directions, offered to give the boy a ride home, and indicated he knew the boy’s mother. When the boy declined the ride, the driver sped off.

Although the intentions of the man are unknown, this situation is a reminder for us to reinforce to our children the importance of good safety tips when approached by strangers. Please continue to remind your child to never approach a strange vehicle or an unfamiliar individual regardless of what the person may say, and to notify an adult immediately when this type of situation occurs.

Please report any suspicious incidents to your local police department. School and transportation department personnel have been informed.

Richmond Police Department: 815-678-2351
Spring Grove Police Department: 815-675-2596

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

TWO CHICAGO AREA MEN ARRESTED ON EXTORTION-RELATED CHARGES INVOLVING ALLEGED PLOT TO ABDUCT AND MURDER VICTIM

CHICAGO — Two Chicago area men were arrested last night and charged today with attempted extortion and extortion conspiracy involving an alleged plot to abduct, extort, murder, and dismember a victim whom they believed had access to large amounts of cash generated from commercial real estate holdings.

The arrests followed an undercover FBI investigation during which the intended victim, who was not identified, was never exposed to any immediate danger.

Steven Mandell, formerly known as “Steven Manning,” 61, of Buffalo Grove, and Gary Engel, 61, of Homer Glenn, were each charged with attempted extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion in a criminal complaint filed today in U.S. District Court. They were scheduled to appear at 11 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Geraldine Soat Brown.

Gary Shapiro

The arrests and charges were announced by Gary S. Shapiro, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and William C. Monroe, Acting Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The investigation is continuing, they said.

The defendants were arrested last evening after they traveled to the vicinity of the planned abduction on the city’s northwest side.

According to the complaint affidavit, both men possessed what appeared to be “prop” firearms and various fake law enforcement credentials.

Engel also possessed handcuffs and Mandell also possessed a fake arrest document that appeared to name the victim as a criminal defendant.

After the arrests, FBI agents searched the location where the defendants allegedly planned to carry out their plans and seized

• a loaded .22 caliber semi-automatic pistol and additional ammunition, as well as
• saws,
• a butcher knife, and
• multiple zip-ties suitable for use as restraints.

Mandell, a former Chicago police officer for approximately 10 years until 1983, and Engel, a former Willow Springs police officer, allegedly intended to abduct the victim, referred to as “Soupie” or “Soupie Sales,” while posing as law enforcement officers purporting to “arrest” the victim while the victim attended a meeting with another person identified only as Individual A.

They allegedly planned to take the victim to a nearby office location, referred to in the affidavit as “Club Med,” where they planned to carry out the extortion and murder after Mandell drove the victim’s car to the victim’s residence to make it appear that the victim had disappeared after returning home from the meeting with Individual A.

The defendants planned to extort the victim to turn over cash and some 25 commercial real estate holdings before murdering the victim, the complaint alleges.

During the investigation, which included audio and video recordings, Mandell speculated that the victim generated as much as $100,000 a month in cash from rental properties. At one time, Mandell and Engel allegedly discussed demanding at least $500,000 from the victim to be released, while still planning to murder the victim.

During the last month, Mandell arranged to outfit the “Club Med” location with a large deep sink, a long counter capable of supporting several hundred pounds, and a shower. He took possession of the extortion location this past Monday, and met there with Engel over the next three days to plan how they would abduct the victim while posing as police officers, how they would restrain the victim, and dismember the victim after the extortion and murder.

On Oct. 10, Mandell discussed the abduction and extortion with Individual A, saying, “My guy knows what he’s doing, he knows how to waterboard, do interrogation, psy-ops,” according to the affidavit. When Mandell and Engel met at the extortion location this week, they allegedly discussed using the counter and sink area to drain the victim’s blood before dismembering the body.

The affidavit describes Mandell discussing the plot with Individual A initially on Sept. 22, followed by additional discussions in late September and throughout this month. On Oct. 4. Mandell and Individual A traveled to a vacant office space to discuss how the location could be renovated to use for the extortion.

Attempted extortion and extortion conspiracy each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. If convicted, the Court must impose a reasonable sentence under federal statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

The government is being represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amarjeet Bhachu and Diane MacArthur.

The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This report was sent to Crystal Lake District 47 parents by phone email just after 9 AM:

Name: Suspicious incident

Alert Type: High Importance

Complete Message:

Please be advised that at 7 pm on September 30, District 47 administrators were made aware of a suspicious incident. Apparently, a 13 year old victim was approached by a suspect who tried to give her a piece of paper. The victim ran away and went toward her house. The suspect walked up the victim’s driveway, paused, and left the area in a blue 2000 or 2001 Dodge Caravan. A sketch of the suspect and make and model of the mini-van can be found on the District 47 website.

Possibile suspect vehicle

Please contact the Crystal Lake Police Department’s Investigations Division at 815-459-4481 if you have any information regarding this incident.

= = = = = =

At about 11:45, the Crystal Lake Police sent out this similar notice.  There is a bit more description about the suspect.

Map showing where Fernleaf and Monarch Drives are located south of South High School

On 09/30/2010, @1440 hours, a subject approached a 13 year old victim who was walking home from school in the area of Fernleaf Drive and Monarch Drive, Crystal Lake.

At this time the subject approached the girl and attempted to give her a piece of paper or envelope, but she could not understand what he was saying because he was speaking an unknown foreign language.

The victim ran to her neighbor’s house and she observed the subject walk up her driveway, pause, and then leave the area in a vehicle.

The victim described the suspect as a male, either of Hispanic or Middle Eastern descent, with black hair, dark complexion, clean shaven, between the ages of 45 and 50 years old, wearing a light blue short sleeve button down shirt with black jeans.

The victim described the suspect’s vehicle to be a later model Dodge Caravan which was light blue in color. If anyone has information about the identity of the above subject, please contact the Crystal Lake Police Department at 815-356-3620

Harvard Police report that an attempt to lure children into a car yesterday. Here are the details:

Suspicious Incident

On 09-22-10 at 1606 hrs Police responded to the area of Wildflower and Willow Ln. for a report that a male, Hispanic with long gray hair and a mustache, driving an older dark green van, spoke with a group of children.

The Hispanic male reportedly asked them if they wanted a ride and may have offered them candy. The male Hispanic departed the area towards Lonesome Rd.

This matter is currently under investigation and the Harvard Police would like to remind parents to caution their children about the dangers of dealing with strangers.

The Harvard Police asks anyone with information to call the Police Department at 943-4431 or Crime Stoppers 943-4343.

CVS Pharmacy is at the corner of Ackman and Randall Roads.

With a pleasant Memorial Day Weekend coming up, here is a danger that you might want to pass on from the Crystal Lake Police Department.

Friday May 28, 2010 4:02 PM CDT

C.L.P.D. reports a 14 year old was approached by a subject near Ackman Road and Wyndham Cove.

On today’s date, a 14 year old female was walking in the area of Ackman Road and Wyndham Cove and she was approached by a male Hispanic subject.

The suspect asked the female if she wanted a ride, he asked for her telephone number, and he commented on how beautiful she was.

The female declined the ride and the subject left the area Westbound Ackman Road without further incident.

The suspect was described as a male Hispanic, approximately thirty years of age, with a shaved head and some facial hair on his chin.

The suspect was driving a late model minivan, light gray in color. Anyone having information is asked to contact the investigations division at (815) 459-4481.

Less than ten days ago another Hispanic male was trying to get North Grade School girls into his white mini-van with a black stripe.

The following email arrived at 3:04 PM.

I was alerted to look for something by District 47′s Communications Director Lori Parrish’s having robo-called to tell me the same information.

Forewarned, etc.

Alert Name: Attempted Child Abduction

Alert Type: High Importance

Complete Message: This afternoon a female high school student who was walking back to school following her lunch period, was approached by a man in a small silver 4 door vehicle in the east parking lot of Husmann Elementary School. [Emphasis added.]

Crystal Lake Central High School on a spring day.

The student was not harmed and returned to school safely where she informed administration about the situation. The Crystal Lake Police Department is investigating the incident and there will be an increased police presence in the neighborhood this afternoon and in the future. As is the case every day, all of District 47 schools have adult supervision before, during, and after school to help ensure student safety.

We urge you to talk to your children about situations such as this and the appropriate response, such as contacting school staff or the police department.

School Name:Crystal Lake Community School District 47

Sent By: DONN MENDOZA

Shortly before 4 PM, I got a robo-call from Ron Miller, Superintendent of Crystal Lake Grade School District 47.

Here was his message:

“This is Ron Miller, Superintendent of District 47.

“This is to inform you that late this afternoon we received a call from the Crystal Lake Police Department stating that they received a report that a tan 4-door sedan driving by a white man may have tried to lure a child into their car.

“This occurred in the area of Crystal Lake Avenue and Green Oaks Drive.

“Please speak to your child on how to handle this situation.

“Thank you and have a good evening.”

Shortly before 4 PM, I got a robo-call from Ron Miller, Superintendent of Crystal Lake Grade School District 47.

Here was his message:

“This is Ron Miller, Superintendent of District 47.

“This is to inform you that late this afternoon we received a call from the Crystal Lake Police Department stating that they received a report that a tan 4-door sedan driving by a white man may have tried to lure a child into their car.

“This occurred in the area of Crystal Lake Avenue and Green Oaks Drive.

“Please speak to your child on how to handle this situation.

“Thank you and have a good evening.”