Antioch mayor helps police track down scam suspect

A Winthrop Harbor man who police say has been pulling scams in Antioch was arrested with a little help from Mayor Larry Hanson.

Michael J. Morgan, 40, has been charged with two counts of theft by deception and two counts of disorderly conduct following his arrest Friday, Antioch Police Chief Craig Somerville said.

If found guilty of the theft charges, Morgan could spend up to three years behind bars, officials said.

Somerville said Morgan became a suspect early last week in multiple scams operating in Antioch neighborhoods. Morgan would approach homes and ask residents for money under false pretenses, using several ruses when soliciting funds.

For example, Morgan would ask for money claiming his car ran out of gas, Somerville said, or claim to live near the victim and needed money for his sick daughter.

After issuing an active arrest warrant, police alerted all neighborhood watch programs to watch out for Morgan and his silver Ford Mustang.

Hanson — an active member of the Antioch Neighborhood Watch since November 2010 — was driving to work when he noticed Morgan near Lakewood Drive Friday morning, Somerville said. Hanson called police who arrested Morgan at 7:51 a.m. as Morgan was attempting to leave the area.

“These are dedicated and civic minded people who partner with the police to keep an eye out for suspicious activity and are trained to effectively report crime and issues within the community,” Somerville said. “Members attend monthly meetings, receive crime alerts and participate in crime prevention training ... Hats off to our alert Mayor.”

Morgan was held on $10,000, Somerville said, and is due back in court Sept. 21.

Morgan is also a suspect in several other communities, Somerville said, and Antioch Police are working closely with other police departments.