Saturday, August 11, 2012

Crime News Update

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---is not by any means an exhaustive catalogue of all crime reported in the Chicago Lawn (8th) District. For example, it typically does not include news of crimes committed in the eastern and southern sectors of the district---because the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area is primarily the neighborhoods that border Midway Airport and secondarily because including the relatively large volume of crime news from elsewhere in the district would be a logistical challenge. We make this note to offer a little helpful perspective and remind everyone that while crime is definitely a concern in all parts of the district (as it always has been), crime remains relatively low overall in Sector 1. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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A 22-year-old Scottsdale man was arrested earlier this week after he allegedly threatened a police officer repeatedly.

Akeem Gardner of 84th and Kenneth was charged with one misdemeanor count of assault and a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest.

Police said they received a call at about 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, August 7, seeking a response to a group of five people (four men and a woman) sitting on a bench in Durkin Park and harassing people nearby. The caller claimed that the group even harassed a little girl, attempting to lure her with candy.

Police arriving on the scene did not find the girl mentioned by the caller, but did see the five people described---sitting on a bench in the park.

They circled around and interviewed others in the park. None said they were harassed by the five; but several reportedly told police they had witnessed the group yelling and cursing at passersby to the point that people were leaving the park in fear and disgust.

At that, police drove towards Gardner and another man, who were now on the playground at the park. Gardner was seated on a bicycle; and as police exited their vehicle, he allegedly said, "You try to catch me, and I'll f~ck you up."

Gardner then allegedly pedaled away quickly, heading west on 84th Street with police following in their car.

As they drew alongside Gardner, he allegedly hollered, "What are you b~tches gonna do? I'll f~ck you up!"

Police said that Gardner then turned his bike toward the squad in a threatening manner, and one of the officers said "Taser, Taser, Taser" as a warning to Gardner. In response, Gardner bolted again, officers said---prompting them to fire the Taser, hitting Gardner in the right side of his back.

As Gardner pedaled away and reached behind his back to remove the Taser probe, he lost control of his bike, hit a garbage cart and fell to the ground.

Officers then pursued him on foot and took him down next to 8418 South Kostner. He was subdued, cuffed and transported to the CPD Eighth District station.

While in a holding area at the station, Gardner allegedly attempted to use handcuffs to injure his right wrist. He was then transferred to a secure cell to prevent him from injuring himself.

Police noted that Gardner has an "Emazin'" tattoo on his lower right arm.

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Two Southwest Side men were arrested and charged with strong-arm robbery in connection with an incident at the CVS Pharmacy at 6315 South Pulaski at 10:19 a.m. Wednesday, August 8.

The two are Carlos Montero, 25, of 56th and Hamlin; and Ludwig Guiza, 25, of 64th and St. Louis.

A CVS cashier, a 54-year-old Evergreen Park woman, told the store managers she saw Montero put two bottles of J & B scotch in his book bag; and she said she saw Guiza stash three bottles of red wine in his pants pockets.

When the pair attempted to exit, they were confronted by one of the managers, a 45-year-old West Lawn man. There was a brief struggle, and Guiza allegedly hit the cashier in the back as both men fled.

Police combed the area and found Montero and Guiza outside near 64th and Lawndale. They had the scotch and wine with them. They were brought back to CVS and positively identified by store staff.

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A thug robbed a clerk at a West Lawn "quick loan" store at 6:13 p.m. Wednesday, August 8 and stole $2,069 cash and a $135 money order.

The clerk, a 23-year-old West Elsdon woman, was closing up for the day at Illinois Title Loan, 6555 South Cicero, when the criminal walked in, ordered her to get down on the floor and give him all the money.

He then grabbed her by the back of the neck and forced her to the floor; and then took the cash and money order from a desk drawer before fleeing.

The clerk described him as a white Hispanic man, 5'7 and 160 pounds, medium complexion and medium-length black hair.

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A 26-year-old Clearing man was robbed at gunpoint at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday, August 5 near the CTA Orange Line station at 49th and Kedzie.

Two thugs approached the victim, displayed a black pistol and struck him in the face before taking his wedding ring, a cell phone, an iPod and his wallet---which contained $80 and credit cards.

The criminals were described as black men, both ages 20-22 and about 5'9.

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Burglars broke through the service door of a garage near 57th and Tripp and stole  three bicycles, a tool set, a welder and a power saw.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 29-year-old man, at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 7.

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Burglars kicked in the back door of a house near 54th and Long and stole three laptop computers, an iPod, assorted jewelry, a guitar, $1,200 cash and a Chanel purse with personal checks and identification.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 33-year-old woman, at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 8. She told police she had only been gone from the home for an hour to take her daughter to McDonald's for lunch.

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Burglars broke through the service door of a garage near 64th and Mayfield and stole two tool kits, two sanding machines, an air compressor and hose, a hydraulic press, a gas cutter, a rubbing polish machine, and a speaker.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 48-year-old man, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 8.

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Want to learn how to reduce your risk of being a burglary victim---and hear useful advice directly from ex-burglars themselves? Attend a free, two-part crime prevention seminar set for 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 20 in the Kennedy High School auditorium, 56th and Narragansett. One part will feature ex-burglars offering tips on burglary prevention; the other will focus on drug and alcohol abuse prevention for teenagers. High school students in need of "community service" hours for school may receive up to four hours' credit for attending the event. The event is hosted by the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch group, and all Southwest Siders---not just Garfield Ridge residents---are welcome to attend.

 


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Burglars entered a garage near 47th and Kedvale and stole a total of $11,200 in construction tools and equipment.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 33-year-old man, at 8:00 p.m. Monday, August 6.

There was no sign of forced entry; and it is possible that the criminals used the victim's own automatic garage door opener to commit the crime. Earlier in the day, while the man's car was parked in the Hyde Park neighborhood, it was broken into. Stolen were a car stereo and a garage door opener. The man called police to notify them, but did not make out a police report.


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Burglars broke through the side door of a home near 55th and Avers and stole assorted jewelry.

The crime was discovered as it occurred at about 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, August 7 by a 25-year-old woman living at the home who, upon hearing the burglars, fled into a bathroom and locked the door.

The offenders fled out a back window.

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Burglars broke into a garage near 63rd and Nashville and stole two bicycles.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 34-year-old woman, at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 7, when she noticed that both the service door and overhead door were open.

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Burglars broke into a house near 66th and Springfield and stole three gold chains, two rings, an iPod and an iPad.

The crime was discovered by the victim's son, who came home and saw the back door kicked in at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, August 7.

The son told police that a neighbor told him that she had earlier seen two men leaving the back yard and walking into the alley. They were described as white Hispanics, ages 18-20.

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