Berwyn Police Blotter
Dogs, dog attacks
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Man charged with murder in brother’s stabbing death
September 27, 2009, 1:44 PM
Police were sent to 2630 Oak Park Avenue on reports of a possibly injury during an altercation between two brothers. They were met in front by two witnesses: a 20-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man. The woman told police, “My boyfriend is bleeding and needs help” and pointed to a house in which she said the offender could be found.
Police then saw a shirtless 18-year-old male emerge from the house pointed out by the woman; he was crying and reportedly made the unsolicited statements, “I didn’t mean to” and “He was trying to attack my pregnant girlfriend”. As officers checked Alexander Yracheta, 18, for weapons, the 20-year-old woman screamed, “You killed my boyfriend!”
Dispatchers reported a bleeding and unresponsive man, possibly suffering stab wounds, at 2430 Oak Park. When police attempted to go to the house, they were met by an aggressive 80-100 lb pitbull. The dog ran toward the woman, who jumped inside an unsecured squad car and shut the door. The pitbull then turned around and ran toward paramedics who were just getting out of their ambulance. The paramedics immediately got back into the ambulance and shut the door. Next, the pitbull turned on the 18-year-old male witness, who fell down as the dog jumped on top of him and actively tried to bite him as the man tried to hold the dog away by its collar. The pitbull next turned aggressively on police officers, who shot the dog three times before it gave up; the dog died.
The victim’s father led police into the house. Anthony Yracheta, 22, was taken to the emergency room at Loyola medical center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:17 AM. Alexander Yracheta was charged with first degree murder.
The victim, a
Dogs, dog attacks • Weapons-related • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
July 28 roundup
Stolen van
July 28, 2009, 11:43 AM
A man returned from a jog and found his white 2001 Ford Windstar missing from his home in the 1900 block of East.
Graffiti roundup
July 28, 2009, 8:14
White spray paint was reported on a garage overhead door in the 1800 block of Wenonah.
10:48 AM
Purple graffiti was spray-painted on a rear stairwell of an apartment building in the 6900 block of Cermak.
That’s MY Beast
July 28, 2009, 7:14 PM
A man told police he had seen his lost dog being held by another man in the 1900 block of Kenilworth. He told police he had not reported the dog missing for two weeks and the dog did not have an ID chip. He did have a photo on his cell phone of the dog, an 18-month-old blue and grey pitbull he had named “Beast.” Police contacted the dog’s new owner, who said he had bought the animal at 25th and Hamlin for $400.
Retail theft warrant
July 28, 2009, 6:20 PM
Police arrested Araceli Amaya, 21, of the 2300 block of Ridgeland, on an outstanding retail theft warrant out of Cook County.
Stray Cat
July 28, 2009, 9:40 PM
A grey female cat weighing 10 pounds, was found in the 2400 block of Gunderson. The animal had no collar or tags.
Smashed car window
July 28, 2009, 11:27 AM
Nothing was taken from a 2005 green Lexus ES330 sedan after offenders used a blunt instrument to smash the passenger side window in the 3600 block of Harlem.
Car window smashed, juvenile arrested
July 28, 2009, 11:54 PM
A juvenile male and two women got into an argument with a 57-year-old man in the 6400 block of 35th St. after asking to use the man’s telephone. The man told police the young man took a “walking stick” and broke the window of (the victim’s) mother-in-law’s 2002 Chevy Impala. Police picked up a trio walking nearby who matched the victim’s description. After letting the women go, police arrested the juvenile, who was released to the custody of his mother. Cops found a 3-foot piece of black pipe, with a knob on the end, in the alley in the 6400 block of 33rd.
Pipe wrench through the picture window
July 28, 2009, 10:20 PM
A woman in the 3600 block of Ridgeland told police that an acquaintance of her 17-year-old son threw a metal wrench through the bay window of her home around 7 PM. She told police the boy’s name was “Reuben.”
Rodent roundup
July 28, 2009, 3:05 PM
A 19-year-old in the 1900 block of Harvey found a pair of gerbils in a cage. Police took them to A-American Veterinary Hospital
8:44 PM
A six-pound grey bunny was found in a yard in the 6400 block of 28th St.
Unlocked bike meets predictable fate
July 28, 2009, 3:30 PM
A boy lost his bike after leaving it unsecured outside Justice Produce in the 3500 block of Cuyler.
Sound Impounds
July 28, 2009, 12:08 PM
Police stopped driver Fernando Castillo-Ortega, 20, of Chicago in the 6700 block of Riverside after hearing a loud stereo system blaring from his car. He was charged with driving without a valid driver’s license, having an uninsured vehicle, and excessive car stereo volume. The black Volkswagen Golf was impounded.
1:16 PM
Police impounded a 1993 white Pontiac Bonneville after stopping the driver for excessive car stereo noise. Felipe Rosado, 26 of Chicago was charged with no valid drivers license, driving with a suspended license and prohibited car volume.
Car burglary
July 28, 2009 5:46 PM
A woman told police that her 1998 white Ford Expedition had been broken into by unknown means while parked in the 6800 block of Vacin. Thieves caused extensive damage to her dashboard in the process of removing the Alpine AM/FM Cd pull-out radio.
-J. LeHane
Burglary • Dogs, dog attacks • Gang activity • Graffiti / vandalism / criminal damage • Noise violations • Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
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
Monday, July 27, 2009
Pitbull at large
July 20, 2009, 6:15 PM
In the 1300 block of Ridgeland, police captured a male black and white pitbull, found at large in the alley.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Pitbull bites blight inspector
July 17, 2009, 2:17 PM
A Berwyn blight inspector was in the 1800 block of Highland, doing a routine alley inspection, when a brown female pitbull squeezed under the fence, escaped from her yard and bit the man in the leg. The victim fought off the dog, got back to his vehicle and called for help; he was taken by ambulance to MacNeal hospital, where police photographed his wounds.
The dog was taken away for the mandatory 10-day rabies observation period. Dog Owner Luz Maria Guzman, 49, of 1811 Highland, was cited for having a biting dog, letting it run at large and having no tags for the animal.
Puppy custody dispute
July 15, 2009, 6:03 PM
When police arrived on reports of a disturbance, a man and woman living together in the 3100 block of Harvey explained they were arguing over ownership of their dog. The man agreed to leave for the evening and the dog stayed with the woman.
Disorderly conduct • Dogs, dog attacks • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Showoffs, loud bangs, dog incident and an armed robbery
Showoffs
July 9, 2009, 12:55 AM
A man driving a green Mustang reportedly told police he was “impressing his friends” when he pealed out of a parking spot at East and Vacin with screeching tires. Police were unimpressed when they found out Jose Ramirez, 26, of Cicero had no driver’s license or insurance and the Mustang had expired registration. He was charged with those three violations in addition to squealing the tires.
9:20 PM
A man on a blue and white Suzuki motorcycle was stopped for “popping a wheelie” on Cermak Ave. at Scoville. Jose A Garcia, 24, of the 1800 block of Clarence was charged with reckless driving and driving without a motorcycle classification on his license. He told police the bike belonged to his brother.
Noise Impound
July 9, 2009, 1:28 AM
Police pulled over the 2003 silver Cadillac of Bandomo N. Giacomo, 21, of Salina, Kansas at Wenonah and Cermak for excessive stereo volume. Giacomo was fined $500 and the car was impounded.
Dog gets hit, boyfriend chases truck, car hits tree, dog bites owner
July 9, 2009, 5:16 PM
A man knocked out a stop sign and a tree in the 1500 block of Euclid after chasing a fleeing black truck that hit his girlfriend’s dog. Edgar Gomez, 24, of the 3500 block of Scoville, lost control of his 2002 gold Ford Explorer and skidded 75 feet up onto the curb. He was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, making an improper turn, failure to leave information after striking property, no driver’s license on his person and damage to city property. The injured and stressed-out dog bit its owner’s hand as she tended to its wounds.
Former business associates may have held grudges
July 9, 2009, 5:00 PM
A woman told police she suspected a former business associate was responsible for slashing the passenger side tires of her 2006 silver Toyota Corolla in the 6400 block of Cermak.
8:08 PM
A man told police that a softball-sized piece of asphalt had been hurled through the passenger side window of his 2001 silver Chevy Silverado. His wallet and keys were left untouched in the vehicle in the 2600 block of Ridgeland. He speculated that the incident was related to a verbal argument with a former business associate.
Short & hefty armed robbers hit salon
July 9, 2009, 6:59 PM
A female hair stylist working alone in a salon in the 6200 block of Roosevelt Rd. was robbed at gunpoint by two men who entered and asked for a haircut. One man showed her a blue steel handgun and said, “This is a robbery. Don’t scream, and give us the money.” The other man did not display a gun, but pointed at his waistband. The men took $400 from her purse and emptied the cash register of $150. They searched the pockets of her apron and found nothing. Then they told her to turn away and left through the front door in an unknown direction. The two were described as male Hispanics around 30 years old, 5’5” and heavy-set. They were wearing dark blue long-sleeve sweatshirts with the collars pulled up over their mouths and sweatpants. They were also wearing white baseball caps, sunglasses and work gloves.
Thefts
July 9, 2009, 9:34 AM
Six copper solar lawn lamps were stolen from a yard in the 2400 block of Kenilworth.
4:41 PM
Two hubcaps and the front half of a bumper grille were stolen from a Volkswagon Jetta in the 1800 block of Oak Park Ave.
Beauty-accessory kits pilfered
July 9, 2009
A loss-prevention supervisor at Marshalls in the 7100 block of Cermak allegedly observed a woman opening beauty-accessory kits, removing items and placing them on her person. The woman paid for other items at the cash register, then left the store, at which point she was apprehended by security. Beatriz Martinez, 43, of Cicero was charged with retail theft. The items were valued at $47.
Loud bangs in the night
July 9, 2009, 11:31 PM
Officers responded to a report of shots fired in the 3100 block of Oak Park, but neighbors interviewed in the investigation thought the banging sounds were more likely fireworks.
--J. LeHane
Dogs, dog attacks • Graffiti / vandalism / criminal damage • Noise violations • Robbery • Suspicious people, objects or events • Theft • Weapons-related • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Another wandering pitbull
July 5, 2009, 4:45 PM
Police captured a stray grey and white female pitbull at 15th and Home.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Bad attitudes and fireworks
Tequila bandit reappears at Berwyn Fruit Market
July 3, 2009, 1:30 PM
Fruit market employees recognized a man with a backpack who had shoplifted before. On surveillance video, police saw him stuffing five bottles of tequila worth $45 each into his pack.
Sound impounds
July 3, 2009, 12:03 AM, 12:40 AM, 12:36 PM
Police impounded the cars of three drivers with “extremely loud amplified sound systems” that could be heard more than 75 feet away. Angel Moreno, 25, of Berkeley, lost his 2001 white GMC Denali and Juan Celestino, 27, of the 6200 block of Roosevelt, had his 2003 white Chevy Tahoe taken away. Francisco J. Flores, 24, of Cicero, was relieved of his 1994 green Cadillac Deville. All three were give noise violation fines of $500.
Dog fighting feared
July 3, 2009, 3:44 PM
The owner of a building in the 1200 block of Wenonah asked police for a premise watch after a report that tenants had been holding loud parties on weekends. Barking dogs and human voices making bets were allegedly heard.
Fistfight
July 3, 2009, 4:02 PM
An injured man declined to press charges after police responded to a fistfight at Cermak and Scoville. The victim told police that Robert Hull, 35 of the 2300 block of Cuyler, had punched him in the face; the injuries including a broken lip and bleeding mouth. Hull was found to be highly intoxicated and was transported to Berwyn Central, where he was charged with disorderly conduct.
Graffiti
July 3, 2009, 7:51
Police noted black paint on street signs at Euclid and 14th St.
Illegal fireworks
July 3, 2009, 10:05 PM
Police noticed fireworks shooting out of the backyard of a house in the 3000 block of Clarence. After activating squad car emergency lights, officers heard a male voice say, “Oh, shit!” and saw two figures run into the house. A woman who answered the door allegedly refused to answer questions and told police, “What do you want? You can’t barge in here, you’re trespassing!” The police officers warned her that she could be charged with obstructing justice. She countered that she had a relative on the Chicago Police Department. She also accused the officer of “picking on here because she had brown skin”.” Another woman argued with the police that, regarding fireworks, “everybody does it.” Finally, a man came forward and offered information. His wife tried to prevent this, reportedly saying “No! You don’t have to tell him anything or you’ll have to miss a day of work.” Rick Casteneda, 25, was charged with illegal possession and use of fireworks.
House fire starts after fireworks heard
July 3, 2009, 9:53 PM
A witness heard fireworks in the 2400 block of Highland and later smelled smoke. When he went outside he saw fire coming from the second floor of a neighboring building. Berwyn Fire Department searched for residents and found no one inside the burning house nor in the one next door. After the fire was put out, the two houses were boarded up.
--J. Lehane
Dogs, dog attacks • Fight/brawl/riot • Drugs, alcohol, DUI • Graffiti / vandalism / criminal damage • Memorable incidents • Miscellaneous • Noise violations • Suspicious people, objects or events • Theft • Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Dogs, unsupervised
July 2, 2009, 7:33 AM
A stray white male pitbull was captured in the 2500 block of Scoville.
11:14 AM
A tan dog was found at large in the 2300 block of Scoville. The owners, residents of 2344 according to the report, were not present, but police issued a ticket to them for having an at-large dog.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Loose pitbull
June 30, 2009, 11:12 PM
A brown and white female pitbull, wearing a blue collar, was found at large in the 2100 block of East.
Friday, July 03, 2009
Wandering pitbull
June 27, 2009, 9:09 PM
A stray female pitbull, brown and white, was found in the 1200 block of Wisconsin.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Lexie draws blood
June 24, 2009, 10:55 PM
In the 1500 block of Maple, a 50-year-old man told police his neighbor’s dog bit him in the knee. Police saw the knee, which was bleeding from puncture wounds. Dog owner Gail Drake of 1517 Maple reportedly admitted her black terrier mix, Lexie, bit the man while she was walking the dog on a long leash. According to the report, she said she could not control the dog because of recent knee surgery.
Lost a really big dog? Really, really big?
June 24, 2009, 5:31 PM
Police captured a tan St. Bernard or Mastiff-type dog, found walking in the alley in the 1300 block of Harvey, west side.
Pitbull bites man
June 22, 2009, 1:41 PM
A 68-year-old man was walking through the rear door of his residence in the 1600 block of Grove when a pitbull mix dog jumped up and bit him in the face. The animal was taken away for the 10-day mandatory rabies observation period. Dog owner Ruby Gonzalez, 32, of 1624 Grove, was issued a citation, with a local ordinance court date of July 9 at 3 PM in the community room of the police department building.