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Why you should resist snagging that handicapped spot on Black Friday

Anyone who's been to Woodfield Mall on Black Friday, or just about any other day in the weeks leading up to Christmas, knows the challenge of finding a parking spot within a few football fields of the nearest entrance.

Still, it's best to avoid the temptation of parking in that empty handicapped parking spot so tantalizingly close to the doors. Not only is it unfair to those who actually need the spaces, but it could earn you a hefty fine and leave your vehicle in an impound lot.

For the 11th consecutive year, officers from the secretary of state police will patrol the parking lots at Woodfield, as well as Oakbrook Center and the Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora, looking for vehicles that don't belong in handicapped spaces.

"There's no excuse that's a good excuse when it comes to using a disability space you're not eligible to use," secretary of state police investigator Glenn Florkow said.

And don't borrow a friend's or relative's legitimate handicapped parking placard for the day - officers will be checking to make sure that placards match the vehicles in which they're displayed. Misuse of a placard could earn the driver a fine and suspended license, and the placard's owner could lose privileges for months, if not permanently.

Not only parking

Police won't just be on the lookout for parking scofflaws Friday and throughout the holiday season. Schaumburg police Sgt. Christy Lindhurst tells us the department will have additional patrols at Woodfield and other retail areas around the village for Black Friday.

"Just to ensure that everyone has a safe experience," she said.

Same in Gurnee, where extra patrols will take place inside and outside Gurnee Mills.

"They're there to help the shoppers feel comfortable, for their presence and to take enforcement action as needed," Deputy Chief Brian Smith said.

What you can do

It's not all on police to make your holiday shopping trips safe. Here are some things you can do to make sure a Grinch doesn't steal your holiday spirit (and purchases), courtesy of the National Crime Prevention Council:

• There's safety in numbers. Solo shoppers are more likely to be targeted by criminals.

• Park in well-lit areas, and preferably away from vans and large trucks that block your space from the vision of others. And lock your doors.

• Don't buy more than you can reasonably carry - or if you do, ask a store employee to help you carry items to your vehicle.

• Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.

• Do not leave packages visible in your car windows. Lock them in the trunk, if possible.

Giving thanks

Since it's the season, we asked some suburban police leaders what they're thankful for.

Mundelein Police Chief Eric Guenther

Mundelein Chief Eric Guenther told us: "When I look across the country and see what's happening in some places between police and their communities, I am especially thankful here in Mundelein for the support we have in our community and the relationship we have with the people we serve."

Carpentersville Police Chief Michael Kilbourne

Carpentersville Chief Michael Kilbourne said: "The Carpentersville Police Department is thankful that every Carpentersville police officer returned home safely at the end of his or her shift this year. We are also thankful for a community who supports us and partners with us to help make Carpentersville a better place to live, work and play."

Schaumburg Police Chief James Lamkin

Schaumburg Chief James Lamkin said: "I am thankful for the opportunity to keep the community and our families safe. I am also thankful to work with the police department and a village staff who do so much every day serving others. We are the fortunate ones with so many things that have happened this past year."

North Aurora Police Chief David Fisher

From David Fisher, North Aurora's chief: "First and foremost, I am thankful for my wonderful family and their unwavering support. Second, I am thankful for my police family, and the hardworking men and women of the North Aurora Police Department. I couldn't ask for a better group of individuals to work with or a better place to work."

Turkeys, not tickets

You're driving along, minding your own business, when suddenly you hear the "whoop-whoop" of a siren and see the flashing lights behind you.

Phooey. What did I do? Just how fast was I going?

A police officer walks up, you roll down the window and get ready to hand over your license.

But instead of a ticket, the officer hands you a voucher for a free turkey.

Sugar Grove police handed out turkeys - or vouchers to receive one - instead of tickets to 20 lucky drivers recently. A local businessman bought the turkeys after reading about a similar outreach program in Montana. Courtesy of Sugar Grove Police Department

Nineteen drivers in Sugar Grove were surprised that way last week. A 20th received an actual turkey.

A local businessman read about a similar outreach program in Montana and suggested Sugar Grove do it. He even paid for the turkeys.

"Our police hats are tipped to our local anonymous business in making this holiday season brighter for some of our residents," Chief Patrick Rollins said.

11-year sentence stands

Santhosh Thomas, formerly of Bensenville, should serve his full 11-year sentence for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from his employer, a state appeals court has ruled.

One person probably not feeling too thankful these days is former Bensenville resident Santhosh Thomas, who this month lost an appeal of his 11-year prison sentence.

Thomas, 53, pleaded guilty to theft in 2008, after he was accused of embezzling more than $500,000 from Westmont-based Collaborative Learning Inc. He was the company's chief financial officer at the time.

Thomas went on the lam after admitting guilt, remaining a fugitive until law enforcement caught up with him near Houston in April 2015. He was sent to prison four months later.

A state appeals court unanimously rejected the appeal, in which Thomas argued the sentencing judge failed to consider that he intended to re-pay the company and was motivated to steal by a gambling addiction.

Thomas is now eligible for parole in January 2020, according to state records.

• Got a tip? Send an email to copsandcrime@dailyherald.com or call (847) 427-4483.

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