Auto fraud charges are baseless, attorney says
The attorney for a Wauconda-area business owner at the heart of an auto fraud investigation called the charges baseless and accused police of being overzealous in a raid this week.
"The community should share a great outrage at the way that this raid and seizure occurred," said lawyer Ariel Weissberg, who represents Ronald Laverdure, owner of K Konstruction.
Laverdure, 56, was arrested Wednesday morning after the raid at his company, 29693 N. Rand Road. Illinois secretary of state police led the effort with help from state police and the Lake County state's attorney's office.
Police simultaneously searched Laverdure's home at 64 Hillburn Lane in North Barrington.
The operations were part of a lengthy investigation into auto fraud by secretary of state police. It focused on title fraud, concealment of vehicle identification numbers and removal of those numbers, police Lt. Jim Murphy said.
Police seized seven truck trailers, three truck cabs and other equipment Wednesday, adding to the collection of vehicles confiscated last week in an initial effort.
Many of the seized vehicles -- including yellow Mack truck cabs with the K Konstruction logo on their sides -- were missing primary identification numbers, police said. Some had secondary numbers scratched away, Murphy said.
Five banker boxes filled with business records, 75 vehicle titles and five computers were removed from the business and Laverdure's house by police.
Weapons and ammunition were also recovered, police said.
Laverdure was charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
Police said they found illegal drugs and a handgun in his office. Five handguns, 10 shotguns and rifles, and a large amount of ammunition were removed from the North Barrington house, Murphy said.
Neither Laverdure nor his mother, who owns the house, has a state firearm owner's identification card, police said.
Additional charges are expected but may not be filed for a month or two because of the large amount of evidence to be examined, Murphy said.
But Weissberg said there's no reason to charge Laverdure with any crime.
There is no proof the seized vehicles were stolen, Weissberg said. Additionally, Laverdure was unaware the vehicles had been tampered with, he said.
"The charges are baseless," Weissberg said. "He will be exonerated when the investigation is concluded."
The attorney was particularly upset about the shooting deaths of two German shepherd dogs during the raid at the business. Police said the dogs were shot because they charged officers, but Weissberg said the animals were pets that didn't have to die.
"A mere request for entry would've been met with complete compliance," he said.
Murphy said police surveillance indicated the dogs were freed from a cage as police arrived at the business for the search.
As for the drugs found at K Konstruction, Weissberg denied they belonged to his client. He declined to comment on the weapons found at the business and the house.
Laverdure was released from Lake County jail overnight after posting 10 percent of a $150,000 bond. He is next scheduled to appear in court July 24.
Laverdure's criminal history includes convictions for aggravated battery, theft and driving with a revoked license, police said.
Other arrests on battery and assault charges dating back to the 1970s did not lead to convictions, police said.
Police investigators are poring over records and other evidence seized during raids at a Wauconda-area construction company and the owner's home, authorities said today.
Five banker boxes, 75 vehicle titles and five computers were among the items police said they removed Wednesday from K Konstruction, 29693 N. Rand Road, and the North Barrington home of owner Ronald Laverdure, 56.
They also seized seven truck trailers, three truck cabs and other equipment, adding to the collection of vehicles confiscated last week in an initial effort. Weapons and ammunition were recovered, too, police said.
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The raids were part of a lengthy auto fraud investigation led by Illinois secretary of state police. The case focused on title fraud, the concealment of vehicle identification numbers and the removal of those numbers, police Lt. Jim Murphy said.
Many of the seized vehicles were missing traditional identification numbers, and some had secondary numbers scratched away, Murphy said.
Laverdure, of 64 Hillburn Lane, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon.
Police said they found illegal drugs and a handgun in his office.
Additional charges are expected, but may not be filed for a month or two because of the large amount of evidence to be examined, Murphy said.
Laverdure's criminal history includes convictions for aggravated battery, theft and driving with a revoked license, police said. Other arrests for battery and assault dating back to the 1970s did not lead to convictions, police said.
Laverdure was released from Lake County jail overnight after posting 10 percent of a $150,000 bond. He is next scheduled to appear in court July 24.