Attempted Cell Phone Ransom Doesn't Pay Off
MAYWOOD, Ill. (STMW) -- A west suburban man who shares a famous name was arrested for allegedly trying to ransom a cell phone.
Jesse Jackson Jr., 38, of the 1300 block of N. Harlem Ave. in Oak Park, allegedly stole a man's cell phone from a park bench, according to Oak Park police.
Jackson reportedly phoned the victim, a Western Springs resident, on the cell phone and offered to return it.With a catch.
"(The victim) received a call saying if he wanted his phone back, it would cost him X amount of dollars," Deputy Police Chief Anthony Ambrose said.
When Jackson showed up at the arranged place and time -- 7:50 p.m. April 23 on the 1100 block of Lake Street -- police were waiting to arrest him.
Jackson, who has long history of arrests by Oak Park and River Forest police, was charged with theft.
He was ordered held on $20,000 bond with a preliminary hearing set for May 2 in Maywood.
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