Crime & Safety
Joliet Cops Charge Used Car Dealer With Money Laundering Scheme
The Plainfield man's Mercedes SUV was seized when he was arrested Thursday.
A used car dealer's alleged financial fraud scheme landed him in the Will County jail on felony charges.
Deandre Owens, 22, of 1705 Chestnut Hill Road in Plainfield was arrested about 9:45 a.m. near the intersection of Lily Cache and Plainfield roads.
Owens was charged with money laundering, financial fraud and financial crimes enterprises.
Owens, who police say is the owner of Owens Car Gallery in Delphi, IN, deposited stolen and forged checks at Chase and First Midwest Bank branches in Joliet, Plainfield and Crest Hill, police said.
After depositing the bad checks, Owens withdrew money from his business and personal accounts, police said. He had the money in hand before the checks came back to the banks as no good, police said. He reportedly had a business account at First Midwest and a personal account with Chase.
Owens allegedly ripped off First Midwest Bank to the tune of $17,000 and got Chase for another $8,000, police said.
The Joliet police obtained a warrant for Owens' arrest and picked him up when they saw him driving around in his Mercedes SUV. The police seized the Mercedes during Owens' arrest.
Owens remains in custody and is being held in lieu of $275,000 bond.
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