Briefs: Aurora hunts con artists

Aurora police want to identify a woman whose picture was captured by a bank security system while she apparently was scamming a 57-year-old man out of several thousand dollars. The victim was approached at 10 a.m. July 2 at a Downers Grove home improvement store by another man who claimed to be an illegal citizen who needed two people and about $20,000 to cash a winning lottery ticket. The suspect encouraged the victim to enlist the assistance of a woman standing nearby to help them. The three got into a dark gray, newer model, Dodge Durango and traveled to two banks in Aurora - one in the 0-99 block of South River Street and the other in the 1900 block of West Galena Boulevard - where the victim withdrew cash. The female is about 26, according to the victim, and stands about 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs 140 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. The male who accompanied her is about 26, 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighs about 160 pounds and has brown hair and eyes. Anyone with information is asked to call Aurora police at (630) 801-6655, or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at (630) 892-1000.

DuPage County indictments:

A DuPage County grand jury this week issued several high-profile indictments, according to court records released Wednesday. They include: Timothy J. Slagh, 55, 117 S. Washington St., Westmont, is charged with 21 counts of child pornography on suspicion he had several elicit images of children on his computer; Anthony Cometa, 18, 845 Heritage Drive, Addison, is facing 10 counts of child pornography for similar allegations that arose in Wheaton; and 31-year-old Fatina M. Williams, Aurora, is charged with aggravated battery and failure to report an accident involving injury in a June 29 domestic disturbance in Aurora.

Man allegedly flees

A Bensenville man, Santhosh Thomas, 44, is accused of violating his bail bond after he failed to show up for court this summer to be sentenced for stealing $471,000 from his Westmont employer. Thomas, of 514 W. Green St., had pleaded guilty to theft charges and was set to be sentenced when he disappeared. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Baseball tryouts

The Roselle Renegades will hold tryouts for the 2009 14U boys' baseball team from 9 a.m. until noon Sunday at Lake Park High School West Campus, 500 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle. To reserve a slot, call Steve Caboor at (630) 893-7338.

United Way begins campaign

Fox Valley United Way will launch its 2008-09 fundraising campaign with a news conference at 11:30 a.m. Monday at Caterpillar, Inc., 325 Route 31, Montgomery. Caterpillar is making a $100,000-plus corporate contribution to match employee donations. Kane County Sheriff Pat Perez and Kendall County Sheriff Dick Randall are the volunteer co-chairmen of the campaign.

Park commissioner resigns

West Chicago Park District is seeking applicants for an open seat for its board of commissioners after Donna McCormack resigned to move out of the district. The seat is a one-year term from Sept. 9 to April 2009. Interested applicants who live in the district should submit a letter of intent to the attention of Gary Major by Aug. 22. For details, call (630) 231-9474.

Army band to perform

The 144th Army Band Illinois National Guard will perform at 7 p.m. Friday at the bandshell in Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton. The evening's entertainment will be led by Christopher Jones, commander and conductor. For details, call Margie Wilhemi at (630) 510-4984.

Utility pole damaged

A utlity pole was damaged Wednesday afternoon in Glen Ellyn when an electrical wire got caught on a passing semi tractor trailer. The incident happened at the intersection of Oak Street and Kenilworth Avenue. Police said the pole snapped at its base, causing the pole to fall over onto the truck. An undetermined number of residents were without power due to the incident, officials said. ComEd workers were on the scene Wednesday afternoon restoring power and making repairs, police said.

No change in mall policy

Pace bus riders heading to Yorktown Center must continue to disembark outside the Lombard mall property along Highland Avenue and Butterfield Road ­- for now. Yorktown officials say some progress was made during a Wednesday morning meeting between themselves, village officials and Pace representatives. Jim Romano, the mall's manager, said Yorktown will allow buses back on the property once Pace finds a solution for the problem of buses idling in the parking lot. A Pace spokesman said the suburban bus agency is reviewing its operations to find a solution.