Cops: Pair scrambled satellites in East Dundee thefts

It sounds like a poor-man's version of a "Mission Impossible" episode.

Two men are accused of using foil to scramble data signals so they could use fake credit cards to buy cigarettes from gas stations in East Dundee and Carpentersville, officials said.

Lester A. Spruille, 24, of the 800 block of West 50th Place, East Dundee, and Lawrence Bradley, 25, of 12000 block of South Washington Avenue, Blue Island, were arrested by East Dundee Police about 3:15 a.m. Monday along Route 72, east of Route 25.

They face two counts of felony burglary, two counts of fraudulent use of electronic transmission and misdemeanor theft, police said.

East Dundee Police Chief Terry Mee said the pair are accused of scrambling data signals in order to buy about $416 in cigarettes and other goods with fraudulent credit cards.

Mee said a clerk at a Carpentersville station became suspicious after noticing the foil outside when Spruille and Bradley bought items.

The most serious charge carries a maximum prison term of seven years, but up to four years probation is an option.

A judge set their bonds Tuesday at 10 percent of $20,000. They are due in court on Oct. 9.