Berwyn Police Blotter
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Cicero/Berwyn traffic incident, with alleged gang interlude
August 16, 2008, 1:41 AM
Cicero police called to report they had a disabled vehicle whose driver told them he was involved in an accident in Berwyn. Driver Ulises Cornelio, 32, of the 4500 block of north Central Park, Chicago, driving a Chevy Blazer, had struck a yellow cement barrier behind the alley on the south side of 26th between Lombard and Harvey; the SUV had a broken axle. Cornelio was arrested because he had neither license nor insurance. A check of his name revealed he had been convicted of driving under the influence in 2001, resulting in the revocation of his license.
Cornelio made the following statement to police; this is the translated-into-English version:
“Today I went to visit my brother-in-law in Berwyn, not sure of address. I had a beer or two, then started to drive home when I hit a concrete barrier. I did not see the barrier. I stopped the car and got pulled out by two gangbangers who spoke Spanish, stole my chain and told me to leave. I did not get a clear view of the gangbangers. I left the car, then returned later. I was able to drive slowly. A little while later, the axle went out and I could no longer drive it. I work as a painter painting condominiums. I have lived in the US eight years.”
Cornelio was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving on a revoked license, and driving uninsured.
Gang activity • Suspicious people, objects or events • Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Checked at the checkpoint
August 16, 2008, 1:40 AM
A bouncer at La Aduana (The Checkpoint) bar, 6736 Cermak, detained a Cicero man after the man struck a fellow patron. The victim refused to sign a complaint, but police charged Pedro Duarte, 27, of the 5500 block of Cermak, Cicero, with disorderly conduct.
Disorderly conduct • Drugs, alcohol, DUI • Main Street • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Felony battery charge for attack on paramedic
August 16, 2008, 1:12 AM
Police found 53-year-old Adrienne M. Murphy, of the 7100 block of Windsor, lying on the ground screaming in the 7100 block of Stanley. She appeared highly intoxicated. When asked whether she was ok, Murphy reportedly answered, “NO! Go f--- yourself, you m-----f-----!” Police asked Murphy if she knew where she was; she said, “No, they kicked me out.” From where? “F-- you, I don’t know.” She then made statements about suicide.
Police spoke with her ex-boyfriend, who said they were drinking together until the woman, in his words, “flipped out.” When he told her to leave, he said, she picked up a knife, inspiring him to call police.
In the ambulance on the way to MacNeal hospital, Murphy took a swing at a paramedic, tried to kick him in the groin, and succeeded in kicking him in the chest. Police, paramedics and emergency room staff were all needed to secure her to a hospital bed because she continued to kick, punch and bite. Murphy was charged with felony aggravated battery and misdemeanor aggravated assault.
Assault, battery • Disorderly conduct • Domestic • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Brookfield man ensures he has police department’s full attention
August 16, 2008, 12:42 AM
Police were sent to Cermak and Highland on reports of a man walking into traffic and possibly “throwing up gang signs”. On a bench on the northwest corner of the intersection was a man who denied knowledge of any such behavior. The officer then asked, “What’s your name? You look familiar”. The subject responded, “Nicolas Martinez. Why are you always f-----g with me? Martinez, 25, of the 3300 block of Grand Blvd, Brookfield, carried on in a loud, profane and unreasonable manner despite being advised by police to give it a rest. Since Martinez appeared to police to be intoxicated, and because he was growing increasingly aggressive, profane and disorderly, he was arrested. An officer began to walk him to squad #113.
Martinez tried to pull away; his struggles caused him and the officer to trip and fall against the trunk of the car. The officer regained control of Martinez and got him inside the squad car. On the ride to the police station lockup, Martinez’s profane, abusive chatter escalated into threats of violence against the officer. By the time they reached the station, his behavior was such that three officers were needed to conduct a custodial search. During the search, Martinez kicked and flailed while swearing and making such threats as “I’ll get you on the streets, bitch!” Because of this, police had to leave him in handcuffs in order to get him into the cell. Once in the cell, police told him to place his hands through the hole in the door so the cuffs could be removed, but Martinez refused. He spit and urinated inside the cell, forcing police to call Aftermath to decontaminate the space.
Headbanging inside the cell got Martinez a trip to the emergency room, where his belligerence continued, causing the ER staff to place him in 4-point restraints. He was found to have no sign of injury.
Martinez was charged with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, damage to city property, and public intoxication loud, boisterous behavior.
Miscellaneous • Noise violations • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Gang bluster, gunplay at closing time
August 15, 200811:43 Pm
A bouncer from La Ultima Copa bar called police about a guy with a gun, which brought officers to 26th and Highland. The victim told them he had just come out of the bar when two men approached him. One wore a red shirt, the other blue shorts and a white shirt. The white-shirted fellow asked redshirt, “Is this the one? Are you sure this is the one?” The pair then asked the victim, a 36-year-old Cicero man, whether he was a member of a well-known street gang, and if not, what gang he does belong to. The victim denied gang involvement., upon which both men pointed semiautomatic handguns at him. The bouncer happened on the scene, inducing the two menacing subjects to walk way.
As police questioned victim and bouncer, another man—a 26-year-old from Cicero—emerged from the bar and admitted the armed pair were more than likely looking for him. He admitted he was standing outside the bar shortly before the incident, wearing his hat tilted to the left. He also admitted to being affiliated with the well-known street gang “out of Stone Park”. The apparent case of mistaken identity was understandable, since both the gang member and the victim were bald male Hispanics dressed in blue pants and white shirts.
The gang member further informed police that he knows members of a different gang—we’ll call them the Deranged Ethnic-name-here Followers—hang out across the street at El Corral bar, 6310 26th, and that they also live in a building next door to La Ultima Copa.
An anonymous witness approached police to report the offenders do live next door, and that drug dealing occurs in their building. The victim told police he can identify the offenders if he sees them again. Both taverns closed without incident.
Drugs, alcohol, DUI • Gang activity • Suspicious people, objects or events • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Suspicious car won’t pull over, tries to make it to mom’s place
August 15, 2008, 10:23 PM
A detective working as part of the West Suburban Drug and Gang Enforcement unit noticed a green Mercury Marquis with no tail lights at 38th and Cuyler. The officer activated his emergency lights to indicate the Mercury must pull over. Instead, the car drove several more blocks until it stopped in the alley behind the 3800 block of Lombard. As the detective approached the Mercury, a woman stepped up and tried to start a conversation; the detective told her to step back. Driver Richard Chapman, 34, of Genoa City, Wisconsin, was unable to produce a license, only a Wisconsin ID card. He told the detective he did not stop because he knew his license was suspended, and he wanted to return the car to his mom. The car was impounded. Chapman was charged with driving on a suspended license and having nonworking tail lights.
Suspicious people, objects or events • Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Illicit motorcycle-repair biz shut down
August 15, 2008, 6:03 PM
Complainants told police a man in the 3800 block of Cuyler was using his garage to operate a motorcycle repair business, and also that he was in the habit of running motorcycles loudly up and down the alley at all hours. Police advised the homeowner of the need for a business license, and the man said he would cease operations. David M. Perales, Sr., 39, received a local ordinance ticket for the violation.
Battery, threats, thrown landscape light
August 15, 2008, 5:50 PM
A woman said her brother’s ex battered and threatened her. The victim, a 35-year-old woman, from the 3800 block of Ridgeland, told police her brother’s 24-year-old former girlfriend, a Cicero woman, pulled up in front of her residence, grabbed her and pushed her down. When the brother pulled the offender off his sister, the offender yanked a solar light out of the lawn and threw it, damaging the light. The offender reportedly left, but not before threatening future unpleasantness. Cicero police located the offender, who said the sister started it; no charges were filed.
Disorderly conduct • Domestic • Suspicious people, objects or events • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Failure to yield, and a sitcom-style speeding excuse
August 15, 2008, 4:17 PM
An officer attempted to curb a red Ford Escort after seeing it doing 34 MPH in a 20 MPH zone while northbound on East. But the car would not stop. Other cars were pulling over for the officer’s emergency lights, just not the Ford Escort. Finally, the officer was able to stop the car blocks away at 19th and Elmwood.
Driver Jorge Azpeita, 44, of Cicero, had no license. He presented an insurance card obtained at Magnum insurance, 4259 Weston, Chicago, which appeared to be good until March 2009. But when police phoned Magnum, they learned the policy was cancelled last month. Azpeita also had an active arrest warrant out of Westmont. He was charged with speeding, driving unlicensed and uninsured, no seat belt, and failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.
4:49 PM
A white Olds Aurora, headed northbound on East from Cermak, was clocked doing 41 MPH in a 20 MPH zone. Driver Juana Aranda told the officer his wife was in labor, about to have a baby, so an ambulance was summoned. But things must not have been quite that far along, since the wife signed a refusal of medical treatment. Aranda, 23, of Cicero, received tickets for speeding, no license ever obtained, and failure to properly restrain a child under age 8.
Suspicious people, objects or events • Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Off to the tow yard, noisemakers
August 15, 2008, 12:59 PM
Police stopped a loud Chevy Tahoe in the 6400 block of Cermak and impounded it. The $500 ticket went to driver Richard Castellanos,26, of Summit.
1:40 PM
A white BMW was stopped at the same location for the same reason and with the same result. The ticket went to driver Anthony Martinez, 19, of the 1200 block of Cuyler.
Noise violations • Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Fools fight over phone
August 15, 2008, 12:40 PM
Police were sent to Harlem and Cermak to check out a street disturbance. They found three men on the corner—a 17-year-old from the 500 block of south Campbell, Chicago; an 18-year-old whose address was not provided, and a 20-year-old from the 2400 block of west Arthington, Chicago. The three said the reason for the public disturbance was a “personal” matter involving an altercation over a phone. They were advised against that sort of thing and sent on their way.
Disorderly conduct • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Seat belt safety check trips up suspended/revoked drivers
August 15, 2008, 9:41 AM
Police stopped a white Ram van during a seat belt safety check on Harlem near the Burlington tracks. Driver Dario E. Lemus, 30, of Chicago Ridge, had a revoked license, no insurance and no seat belt. The van was impounded because of the license revocation.
9:48 AM
Same location, this time a white Acura’s driver wore no belt. Jose L. Osornio, 25, of the 4400 block of south St. Louis, Chicago, had a license that had been suspended since June of 2006. He was cited for both and the car was impounded.
10:08 AM
Silver Sonata, seat-belt-less driver. Barbara Anne Held, 45, of Hobart, IN, told police she had no license on her person; in fact, her Indiana license had been suspended, so the car was impounded.
10:19 AM
A red Ford Explorer stopped at the checkpoint was driven by Charles D. Bartzowicz, 35, of the 1800 block of Clarence. His license had been suspended since September, 2007, so the SUV was impounded. He was cited for that and driving on a suspended license.
10:22 AM
A red Chevy pickup was stopped at the checkpoint. When asked to produce license and insurance, the driver instead identified himself using a Polish ID. Krzysztof Nykaza, 23, of Burbank, had no license and was listed as on “suspended” status by the secretary of state, He was arrested and charged with driving while suspended, no valid license, no insurance and no seatbelt; the truck was impounded.
10:52 AM
In the 3400 block of Harlem, police stopped a black Crown Victoria. Driver Pamela J. Brials, 38, of Melrose Park, told police her license was not with her. In fact, it was suspended, so the car was impounded. Brials was cited for that, for wearing no seat belt, and for have an unsecured child passenger.
Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Pimped out and pulled over
August 15, 2008, 10:47 AM
An officer stopped a green Ford Explorer at Oak Park and Cermak because the SUV had a red flashing light in action behind its front grille, contra the state code regarding such lights.* Driver Gerardo Miranda, 46, of the 2100 block of Gunderson, also had no license to drive and was cited for both offenses.
*
625 ILCS 5/12‑215) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑215)
Sec. 12‑215. Oscillating, rotating or flashing lights on motor vehicles. Except as otherwise provided in this Code:
(a) The use of red or white oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, whether lighted or unlighted, is prohibited except on:
1. Law enforcement vehicles of State, Federal or
local authorities ...[etc., etc].
Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink
Burglaries
August 15, 2008, 7:14 AM
In the 1900 block of Harvey, someone broke a window on a blue Jeep and stole a “Travel Pal” motorized chair, as well as a 12” stereo speaker/amp.
10:28 AM
A Chevy truck had its Kenwood stereo stolen after someone smashed a window as the vehicle was parked in the 1200 block of Highland.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The Tragedy of Impaired Driving
A message from Chief William Kushner:
As long as I’ve been a police officer, I’ve never gotten used to the sorrow I feel when I am called to the scene of a crash where a person has died due to impaired driving. Yet this senseless loss of human life is a daily reality throughout Illinois and the nation — year after year.
Imagine the public outrage if 33 jumbo jets — each carrying about 400 people — crashed every year in America killing all on board. That tragedy is equivalent of the toll our country suffers annually due to impaired driving. Where is the indignation over this catastrophe?
The fact is that impaired driving deaths did decline dramatically during the 1980s through the early 1990s. Social activism, including the rise of organizations such as MADD, led to tighter laws that helped bring the death toll down. During that period, every state, including Illinois in 1997, made it illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or above.
But within the last decade, the numbers have been essentially stagnant. In 2006 alone, the latest year for which we have data, 13,500 people died in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was legally drunk, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Particularly shocking is that among those dead were
306 children under age 15 — innocent crash victims easily avoidable.
In Illinois in 2006, according to estimates by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 594 people lost their lives in crashes involving drivers who had been drinking alcohol.
During the last five Labor Day holidays in Illinois, 86 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes. Statistics say 38 or 44 percent of these fatalities resulted from crashes involving drivers who had been drinking alcohol.
Because we are committed to ending this tragedy, the Berwyn Police Department will join with others throughout the Illinois and the nation during the upcoming Labor Day holiday period for an intensive crackdown on impaired driving. This nationwide enforcement campaign, bolstered by new Illinois radio and TV advertising, is focused on the worst offenders, 21- to 34-year-old males. It airs from August 18th through September 1st.
As police officers, our message during this crackdown and all year long is clear and unwavering: You Drink & Drive. You Lose. With stepped-up law enforcement throughout Illinois — including roadside safety checks and saturation patrols — if you drive impaired, you will get caught.
With summer winding down, Labor Day is an extremely popular time to gather for with friends and family in Berwyn and across Illinois. All too often, it can also be deadly due to impaired driving.
If you plan on using alcohol while celebrating Labor Day, designate a SOBER driver BEFORE the party begins. Be responsible, or risk a DUI charge.
Sincerely,
Chief William Kushner
Berwyn Police Department
The Berwyn Police Department will conduct Roadside Safety Checkpoints on the following dates at these locations –
Saturday August 23, 2008 – 11:00 pm to 3:00 am at Harlem Ave and 25th Street
Friday August 29, 2008 – 11:00 pm to 3:00 am at Ogden and East Aves.
Saturday August 30, 2008 – 11:00 pm to 3:00 am at Harlem Ave and 25th Street
Saturday September 6, 2008 - 11:00 pm to 3:00 am at Ogden and East Aves.
Announcements • Drugs, alcohol, DUI • Traffic stops / accidents • (0) Comments • (0) Trackbacks • Permalink