Wisconsin men sought for writing fake check to buy gas
News-Sun staff report December 11, 2012 6:50PM
Updated: January 13, 2013 6:20AM
Warrants have been issued for two Wisconsin men after they tried to use a forged check to purchase a large amount of gasoline from a wholesale distributor in unincorporated Grayslake.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued warrants on Dec. 4 for Laurence Esser, 55, of the 4300 block of Conifer Court, Union Grove, Wis., and Maximo Rodriguez, 57, of the 2400 block of 65th Drive, Franksville, Wis.
Authorities said that on Nov. 10 Esser and Rodriguez attempted to purchase gas from State Oil Company in unincorporated Grayslake. Esser and Rodriguez met with the vice president of State Oil Company telling him they recently purchased a gas station in Wisconsin and they wanted him to supply them with $30,000 worth of gasoline. At first, Esser and Rodriguez were reluctant to sign any purchase orders or contracts, but they eventually agreed to sign. They used a cashier’s check for $30,000 made out to the State Oil Company for the gas.
But the cashier’s check was discovered to be fraudulent after Esser and Rodriguez left the company. They are believed to be back in Wisconsin and were last seen driving in a white van.
Esser’s bond amount is $50,000 and Rodriguez’s bond amount is $25,000.
If you have any information on the two men, contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division at (847) 377-4300.
