Forgery Warrants Issued for Two Men Attempting to Defraud Grayslake Area Gas Company

Outstanding forgery warrants have been issued for two Wisconsin men who attempted to purchase gas from State Oil Company, located at 31366 N. Highway 45, Libertyville, (unincorporated Grayslake) with a fraudulent $30,000 cashier's check.

The Lake County State's Attorney's Office issued warrants for Laurence Esser, 55, of the 4300 block of Conifer Ct. in Union Grove, Wis., and Maximo Rodriguez, 57, of the 2400 block of 65th Dr. in Franksville, Wis.

Esser's bond is $50,000. Rodriguez's bond is $25,000.

Law enforcement is still looking for the two suspects, who are believed to be in Wisconsin, possibly driving a white van, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Department.

Esser and Rodriguez attempted to purchase gas from State Oil Company on Nov. 10. According to the sheriff, the men met with the company's vice president requesting them to supply gas to their Wisconsin gas stations, which Esser and Rodriguez claimed to have recently purchased.

Esser and Rodriguez were reluctant to sign any purchase orders or contracts but eventually agreed to. Esser and Rodriguez provided a cashier’s check for $30,000 to State Oil Company. The cashier’s check was discovered to be fraudulent after Esser and Rodriguez left State Oil Company, according to the sheriff's department.

Anyone with any information on this case is asked to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division at (847) 377 4300.