Berwyn Police Blotter
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Gypsy scam
July 25, 2009, 12:37 PM
An elderly woman was distracted by two women while persons unknown entered her house in the 3800 block of Grove. The 87-year-old victim heard a knock; a voice outside said “I’m your neighbor from three doors down and I’m leaving town and need you to get my mail”. The victim opened the door to a woman in her early 40s, with an olive complexion and dressed in a multicolored blouse and skirt. The victim went to fetch a pen and paper with which to write down the address and telephone number of the “neighbor” and was startled to realize the woman had followed her, uninvited, into the kitchen. The stranger requested a glass of water, but never drank it, then made a cell phone call in which she spoke in a foreign language.
Next, the victim heard her front door open and said so to the stranger. The stranger said “I didn’t hear anything” and complimented the victim on her back porch. The victim and the woman went outside and picked a cucumber. When they came back into the house, a round-faced 19-year-old woman was at the kitchen table. The stranger stated, “That’s my daughter”. The victim offered the girl a Coke, then heard the front door open yet again. When she tried to go to the door to see what was going on, the two females blocked her by standing side by side in the way. The two women left soon afterward. The victim later found her previously locked spare bedroom door had been forced open and some items had been moved.
Deceptive practice, fraud • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Bizarre curses rain down on cops
July 25, 2009, 9:30 AM
A man told police he saw a guy punching vehicles in the 2100 block of Gunderson; when the offender reached the victim’s Chevy Blazer, he socked it and broke the passenger-side mirror housing. The victim said he confronted the offender as a small crowd gathered. The offender reportedly said “I’m sorry, I’ll pay for the damage” but instead fled on foot westbound.
Concerned citizens identified the offender to police; officers recognized his name as belonging to someone involved in an earlier incident in which callers complained of a man screaming profanity. During that incident, the man reportedly stated he was upset with his girlfriend, belonged to a gang and was sorry for “acting crazy”.
Police located Gabriel A. Clas, 21, of 2105 Grove. Clas, the report said, attempted to defeat officers’ efforts to transport him to the police station. His mother was at the scene and was described by police as appearing to be “heavily medicated”, yelling profanity at the officers and following them to the squad cars. The mom reportedly yelled at one officer in Spanish, shaking her finger, then announced, “I just put a curse on you—your kids won’t sh!t again!” and “My aunt lives on a mountain, I’ll fix you!” Clas was charged with criminal damage to property and resisting a peace officer.
Graffiti / vandalism / criminal damage • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Felony DUI charge
July 25, 2009, 12:42 AM
Responding to a call about a reckless driver, police located a white Chevy Blazer—engine running but stopped—in the 2800 block of Ridgeland/Cuyler alley. As the police car approached, the Blazer was seen to slowly back into a fencepost. The driver was unable to open his door, so police assisted him, noticing at that time a strong odor of alcohol. Driver Eduardo Lopez, 21, of Cicero, failed multiple field sobriety tests and had a blood alcohol level of .255—more than three times the legal limit for DUI. The motorist who reported the incident told police she saw the Blazer cross the center line on Ridgeland, then weave in and out of traffic.
Lopez was charged with felony aggravated DUI, DUI, DUI over .08, driving unlicensed, no seat belt, improper backing and prohibited alley access.
Female armed robber gets away with $1,500
July 24, 2009, 11:28 AM
A Cicero woman, owner of a business in the 6300 block of Cermak, called police to report she was robbed by a woman with a gun. The victim said a woman came in and asked to see a purse from a locked case; she examined the item and left the store. Five minutes later, the woman returned and asked to the see the purse again. When the victim complied, the woman produced a black handgun from a tan bag, pointed it at the victim and said “Gimme your money!” as she pushed the victim behind the counter. Fearful of the gun, the victim handed the robber $1,500. The victim described the robber as a female black or Hispanic, 5’5”, medium build, wearing blue jeans, a black shirt, black baseball cap and sunglasses.
Robbery • Suspicious people, objects or events • Weapons-related • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Burglaries and stolen autos
July 24, 2009, 6:55 AM
A Plymouth Breeze parked in the 3200 block of Ridgeland lost a window and a stereo to a burglar.
6:34 AM
A woman in the 2200 block of Grove accused her sister of stealing her Suzuki Fiorenza.
9:23 AM
A store owner came to the business in the 6300 block of Cermak and found the rear door had been pried open, the phone cord cut and the alarm system disabled. Stolen items included three remote control toy trucks, valued at $99.99 each; three microwaves, priced at $59.99 apiece; a $249.99 JVC stereo, and a $549.99 flat screen TV.
8:48 PM
Someone stole a Dodge Caravan parked in the 3800 block of Kenilworth.
Building inspection delayed by dogs
July 24, 2009, 10:15 AM
Police were dispatched to the 2800 block of Cuyler to assist two Berwyn building inspectors. The inspectors explained they found debris in the yard of a house, leading to the belief that work was being done there without permits. But when they entered the yard, they encountered a 45-year-old man who responded to their questions with apparent hostility, and also had two dogs with him. Once police arrived at the scene, the inspectors discovered work being done in the kitchen, and issued a stop work order.
Dogs, dog attacks • Miscellaneous • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Criminal damage
July 24, 2009, 8:51 AM
Someone threw a rock through the rear window of a house in the 2400 block of Elmwood.
Graffiti / vandalism / criminal damage • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Gang “hot spot” doesn’t disappoint
July 24, 1:58 PM
A police sergeant making a routine check of a “hot spot” known for loiterers from a well-known criminal gang, noticed a man he knew had an active arrest warrant, and stopped him at 15th and Clinton. Luis A. Medellin, 21, of 1505 Clinton, was arrested and charged, based on the warrant, with possession of 10-30 grams of marijuana.
Drugs, alcohol, DUI • Gang activity • (1) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
I just smoked a blunt
July 23, 2009, 1:21 PM
Bike patrol officers in the 7000 block of 16th alley noticed the smell of burnt cannabis coming from an open garage door. Investigating the source, they were met by Allan A. Oliveros, 23, of that address. During the subsequent chat, officers noticed a clear bag of marijuana resting atop a portable bar in the garage. Oliveros, according to the report, spontaneously stated, “I just smoked a blunt”. A blunt lay on the shelf by the door. Oliveros, police said, stated all the marijuana belonged to him; it had a total weight of 9.2 grams. Oliveros received a $275 ticket for possession.
Drugs, alcohol, DUI • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Lock knocked
July 23, 2009, 11:50 PM
A Pontiac parked in the 1300 block of Scoville was found with the locked knocked out of the passenger door.
Shots fired in gang incident
July 23, 2009, 11:38 PM
Multiple callers reported “shots fired” in the 2100 block of Harvey. Witnesses saw a blue Dodge Durango with Nebraska plates circling the area. Its occupants yelled gang slogans, then one man exited the SUV and ran to a house on the west side of the street. The man was described as bald and carrying a .45 or 9MM handgun, was heard to yell the gang slogan as well as “I got you m@O(#)#f@)@)!”, then fired 5-7 shots at someone across the street before fleeing on foot through yards. Police found six .45 calibre casings; a bullet hole was seen in the door of a vehicle on the block, as well as on a for sale sign.
The object of the shooting and shouting, an admitted member of a well-known street gang, told police he knew the offender by the street name “Sleepy”; Cicero and Berwyn police were both familiar with the suspect through previous contacts. The investigation continues.
Gang activity • Suspicious people, objects or events • Weapons-related • (2) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Oh man, I just opened it, too!
July 23, 2009, 12:48 PM
Police working on a bicycle patrol grant project noticed a green Suburban parked in the alley behind the 1600 block of Clarence. Riding up to the driver’s side, one officer saw the driver drinking a 12-ounce can of Red Dog beer. This discovery necessitated a traffic stop, upon which driver Armando M. Gomez, 39, of Cicero, reportedly lamented, “Oh, man, I just opened it, too!” The four passengers also had cans of Red Dog. Gomez was charged with illegal transportation of open alcohol. Four passengers were charged with open alcohol in the public way; they were Juan M. Gomez, 40, 2014 south Leavitt, Chicago; Victor M. Robledo, 24, of Cicero; Miguel A. Gomez, 21, of Cicero, and a man who initially gave the name “Daniel Gomez” but was actually Nestor Sotero, 25, of Cicero. Sotero was also cited for marijuana possession.
Drugs, alcohol, DUI • Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Stripped of copper
July 23, 2009, 8:51 PM
A real estate broker told police she was showing a vacant house in the 3100 block of Kenilworth to some potential buyers, but realized someone had cut and removed all the copper piping.
Loud SUVs impounded, annoying hobby
July 23, 12:55 AM
Police impounded a Ford Explorer, found making too much noise in the parking lot of a restaurant at 3011 Harlem. The $500 ticket went to driver Melecio Santacruz, 31, of Chicago.
5:49 PM
Police noticed a white Trailblazer in the 1500 block of Harlem because of what the report characterized as “clear distinct loud music” issuing from it. When asked why it was so loud, driver Anthony J. Cabrales, 24, of Hillside, reportedly told the officer “it is a hobby of mind to install music systems in cars”, adding that he realized it was loud, but this was “only” because of the bass.
Noise violations • Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Paying for esctasy rarely results in same
July 23, 2009, 12:04 PM
Calls about a suspicious person checking doors brought police to the 2800 block of Highland, east side, where they encountered a 38-year-old Brookfield man. When asked what he was doing, the man told police he was looking for car keys he lost after getting drunk with friends who live on the block. He indicated a house and gave a name which proved not to be that of the actual resident. Later, the Brookfield man stated he was out drinking all night, paid somebody cash for some Ecstasy, then never received the drugs. He thought that the people who took his money entered a house on the block and was attempting to find them.
Suspicious people, objects or events • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink