Inmate allegedly tried to have ex killed in hopes of having case dismissed

A Cook County Jail inmate tried to hire someone to kill his ex-girlfriend while he awaited trial for slashing her car tires and smashing the vehicle’s windshield, prosecutors said.

George Krueger allegedly offered an undercover sheriff’s officer between $3,000 and $4,000 to kill the woman, believing if she failed to show up to court, his criminal damage to property case would be dismissed.

But authorities were tipped off to the Blue Island man’s plans after he approached a fellow inmate on Sept. 10 and told him he wanted to have his ex-girlfriend murdered, Assistant State’s Attorney Matthew Thrun said.

The sheriff’s office arranged a meeting with the fake hit man in Division Four of the jail complex on Sept. 18, Thrun said.

There, Krueger, gave the undercover officer his girlfriend’s name and address, Thrun said.

Krueger, 35, also allegedly gave the undercover officer a note that included the woman’s name, address, physical description, place of employment, work hours, the route she takes to and from work, and the make and model of her car.

Judge James Brown on Friday ordered Krueger held in lieu of $250,000 bail on charges of solicitation of murder for hire and solicitation of murder.

Krueger has been in Cook County Jail since Aug. 24 after he was ordered held in lieu of $100,000 bail at the Markham courthouse for allegedly damaging his ex-girlfriend’s car and another.

He also faces telephone harassment and criminal trespass charges, authorities said.

Krueger is expected to be back in court for that case before Judge Brian Flaherty on Oct. 15.

He has convictions for residential burglary and retail theft.