Berwyn Police Blotter
Sell fake drugs and carry a big stick
April 15, 2008, 9:31 PM
Police responded to calls complaining of apparent drug dealing by two men at Gunderson and 19th. Police located the two men described to dispatchers; the pair were standing on the corner with a baseball bat. Asked why they were there, one man, Bruce J. Williams—a 17-year-old resident of the 6500 block of 19th—said he was “just hanging out.” The second man, Juan A. Forester --an 18-year-old resident of the 1900 block of Elmwood—explained his presence by saying he was just dropping off a baseball bat the younger man wished to borrow. Neither was able to show ID to police. In the area immediately around the two men, police found an empty Newport cigarette box containing four clear bags that appeared to be marijuana. Also very nearby was what looked like a handgun, lying between some bushes and a building with the same address as that given by the younger man. After hearing his Miranda rights, Forester told police he and Williams decided to sell “burn bags” (containing oregano, rather than pot) for $5 a pop. Forester said they tried for an hour without luck. He told police the bat was needed because they were having “trouble with some dudes” in the area. Williams told police the same thing, adding that the gun—which proved to be an airgun—belonged to someone called “Marcus” who lives near 21st and Gunderson. He said “Marcus” left the airgun for them because they were having problems with members of a well-known street gang driving by on a daily basis. The “burn bags”, indeed, contained no marijuana. Forester and Williams were both cited for disorderly conduct.