Antioch store owner accused of fraud

A downtown Antioch store owner and his employee were arrested after reportedly making false claims to an insurance company.

Anthony Dembrowski, 391 Lake St., was charged with insurance fraud this week after a four-month investigation by the Antioch Police Department.

Dembrowski, 27, has owned The Hut, a clothing store catering to teens, since late spring.

He originally operated the store from Main Street but moved to Lake Street about three months ago.

According to police, Dembrowski reported a burglary at the business in late June. Three arrests were made, and property was recovered.

"Police became suspicious when the $14,000 insurance claim filed by Dembrowski far exceeded the value of the property recovered," said Cmdr. Jim Ruth.

On Oct. 8, another burglary was reported with a second claim in the amount of $8,000 filed.

Detectives worked with insurance investigators and obtained enough evidence to suspect Dembrowski's claim, Ruth said.

Police also arrested a 19-year-old store employee, Christopher Gliniewicz, of the 8300 block of Evergreen Court in Fox Lake.

Gliniewicz was released on recognizance, and Dembrowski was remanded to the Lake County jail in lieu of $40,000 bond.

Barbara Porch, Antioch chamber of commerce executive director, said Dembrowski was from California and came to Lake County by way of the Navy. He had been stationed at Great Lakes Naval Station.

"He said he was trying to bring California fashions and trends to the community because the Midwest was a couple years behind," Porch said.

Porch said The Hut could have been a very good fit for downtown Antioch, but other business owners often complained about loitering outside of the store.