Friday, November 30, 2012

Alboe's Serving Sandwiches and More



This week marks the debut of Alboe's, 6316 South Archer, a sandwich shop dedicated to serving "a little bit of everything."

Independently owned and operated by Guy Elsberg and J.R. Stronczek, Alboe's offers such Southwest Side sandwich favorites as Italian beef and sausage, meatball, breaded steak, chicken parmesan, eggplant parmesan, three different types of subs, and more.

Alboe's also offers four different varieties of salads, several sides and a specially made soup of the day.

The restaurant offers carryout and dine-in----in their cozy dining area complete with TV and decorated with images of Frank Sinatra and other Italian-American entertainers and characters.


Alboe's also caters for parties of all kinds.

They are currently open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; closed on Sundays and holidays.

For full details, call them at (773) 498-4526.








# # #


Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Streets and San Grid System Coming

Here is an announcement just released by the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation:


~ ~ ~

New garbage pick-up schedule. 
The City of Chicago today announced plans to roll out the fifth phase of the grid garbage collection system to approximately 56,000 households on Chicago's southwest side beginning December 10, 2012.  The transition will take place in wards 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, and 23.

"By implementing the grid garbage system we can save money without impacting the quality of service," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.  "We are choosing efficiency over politics, and the taxpayers will benefit."

The grid system, widely used by municipalities and private refuse haulers, changes collection routes from non-linear ward geography to a system of routes bordered by main streets and natural boundaries. The service model concentrates sanitation workers in targeted areas of the city each day and creates balanced service regions to improve daily collection performance.

By utilizing more efficient routes, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation can provide the same weekly refuse services to Chicago residents while saving millions in operation costs by using fewer resources, such as crews, vehicles and fuel.

Under the leadership of Mayor Emanuel, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation has successfully adopted similar grid-based reforms in the graffiti and forestry service areas that have led to significant increases in productivity and efficiency.

The grid refuse routes were developed by the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation with the assistance of outside consultants.  In order to make the routes as efficient as possible, the grids were thoroughly vetted by the ward superintendents who provided valuable feedback about their service area.

"I support any measure that allows us to provide residents with great service while making the best use of taxpayer resources," said Alderman JoAnn Thompson, 16th Ward.  "We are working with the Department of Streets and Sanitation to ensure the move to the grid system will be successful, and residents will continue to receive the same quality refuse collection services they deserve."

In coordination with aldermanic offices and community groups, the City of Chicago is educating residents about the grid system and potential day of week service changes through a targeted public outreach campaign.  The campaign includes media relations, direct-to-consumer outreach and social media engagement.

The department will finalize preparations for the transition to the grid system during the week of December 3, 2012, when crews will post "Change in Garbage Service Day" notices to garbage carts to inform residents within the boundaries of their new day of service effective December 10, 2012.

The notices will also inform residents who receive curbside blue cart recycling services that their recycling day of service will also change to the same day as their garbage pickup. Residents who receive alley blue cart recycling services will maintain their same week of service, though their day of collection may change.  Residents with alley blue cart services should leave their carts in the alley for their entire collection week to ensure service.

During the first four phases, the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation successfully transitioned half of the city, approximately 300,000 households, onto the grid garbage collection system.

Residents who would like more information about the grid garbage collection system and related service changes are encouraged to visit the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation website at www.cityofchicago.org/dss, call 311 or contact their local ward office.




# # #


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.


* * *

An alert neighbor who called 911 and an eagle-eyed police sergeant who took swift action foiled a quartet of burglars just minutes after they hit a home near 58th and Neva.

Arrested were four Brighton Park men: Ruben Diosdado, 34, of 45th and Washtenaw; Ricardo Rodriguez, 21, of 45th and Campbell; Eliodoro Mundo, 22, of 46th and Talman; and Jorge Mundo, 23, of 46th and Talman. Police said that Rodriguez is an admitted gangbanger.
Ruben Diosdado

The crime occurred at 9:14 a.m. Monday, November 26. A 67-year-old neighbor of the victim told police that he saw a black Ford van pull up to the victim's home. Two men got out and rang the doorbell of the home. When there was no answer (the victim---a 49-year-old woman---was not home), the van pulled into the driveway. His suspicion aroused, the neighbor called police.

The witness told police that several minutes later, the van pulled out of the driveway and headed north on Neva.
Ricardo Rodriguez

A CPD sergeant who was nearby spotted a vehicle matching the description and curbed it in front of 5515 South Harlem. Inside the van in plain view, according to police, were two TVs, a microwave oven and pillow cases with items inside.

As police placed the four men inside the van in custody, one reportedly admitted guilt and expressed astonishment at the swift and effective police work by saying "F~ck man, how did you catch us? We were already gone and thought we were home."
Eliodoro Mundo

Police took the van back to 58th and Neva, where the witness positively identified it as the one he saw. The vehicle, owned by Diosdado, was then impounded by police.

The four suspects were taken to the CPD Eighth District Station for processing. While there, one of the four allegedly explained the situation by saying "We were just taking this stuff for money---to pay the rent, man."
Jorge Mundo

The victim was located and arrived at the police station---where she identified the recovered goods as hers. They included two TVs, a microwave oven, a jewelry box with assorted jewelry, a tin box with assorted jewelry, three sweatshirts, and a small assortment of foreign currency.

According to police, the four men are scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48-4, 155 West 51st Street, at 1:00 p.m. Monday, December 3.


* * *

A 45-year-old Clarendon Hills man and a blond-haired female prostitute in a second-floor room at the Sportsman's Inn, 4501 South Cicero, were interrupted by an armed robber at 12:45 a.m. Monday, November 26.
4501 South Cicero

The thug pointed a pistol at the man and said "Be cool or I'll f~ckin' kill you." He then went through the man's pockets and stole a cell phone and a wallet (which contained $65 cash, a driver's license, credit/debit cards and a FOID card).

Not satisfied with his take, the robber ordered the man out of the room and into the victim's car, a 2006 Dodge Stratus, and ordered him to drive to an ATM and withdraw cash.

The victim complied and handed over an additional $260. He was then forced out of his car at an alley near 47th and Keating; the thug drove away. The victim then ran to the Subway sandwich shop at 4735 South Cicero and called 911.

The car was later recovered by police in front of 4622 South Leamington.

The CPD incident report did not say if anything was stolen from the prostitute.

The robber was described as a black man age 20, 5'7 and 200 pounds, short black hair, dark complexion, wearing a black hooded jacket.


* * *


A crook snatched the cash register from the Little Caesars Pizza at 5601 South Harlem and fled east on 56th Street.
5601 South Harlem

The crime occurred at 6:55 p.m. Sunday, November 25, according police. Restaurant management said there was about $50-$70 cash in the register.

Two witnesses--an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old man---told police they think the thief may have had an accomplice acting as a lookout.

They described the thief as a white man age 18-21, 5'10 to 6'0 and 150-170 pounds, light complexion, wearing a black hoodie and black pants.


* * *

A 40-year-old Brighton Park woman walking near 47th and Cicero at 12:45 a.m. Monday, November 26 told police that she was robbed by a criminal who appeared to have a gun or other weapon under his sweater.

The crook took her purse, removed the contents ($880 cash, a credit card, and a Puerto Rican ID card), slammed the purse to the ground and fled.

She described him as a white man 25-35 years old, 5'5, short black hair, light complexion, wearing a black sweater.


* * *


Three thugs---two men and a woman---snatched the purse of a 50-year-old Lemont woman as she walked toward her car in the parking lot of Shop & Save Market, 5829 South Archer.


5829 South Archer
The strong-arm robbery occurred at about 8:00 a.m. Friday, November 23. The female robber snatched the purse away from the victim and jumped into a getaway vehicle---a black four-door vehicle. The victim chased and jumped into the back seat of the vehicle, fighting unsuccessfully to get her purse back. According to police, the offenders pushed the victim out of the vehicle while it was moving.

The black vehicle then sped away north on Linder. The female robber then jumped into a blue SUV that sped away west on Archer.

The victim described the female robber as a white woman age 20-25, 5'3 and 120 pounds, medium length strawberry blond hair, fair complexion. There was no description provided of the two men.

In the victim's purse was $205 cash, four credit cards and IDs.

Police said they planned to review Shop & Save surveillance video.


* * *

A 20-year-old woman from Cicero was beaten and robbed in a parking lot in Clearing at 6:15 a.m. Thursday, November 22.


5650 West 63rd Street
The woman told police that she had just left a party after fighting with her boyfriend. She walked down 63rd Street confused because she was unfamiliar with the area. As she began to walk through a narrow parking lot at 5650 West 63rd Street (immediately west of the vacant storefront that was Don Wan Florist), she was approached by a criminal who asked "Hey, what are you doing?" He then punched her in the nose, knocked her to the ground, snatched her purse and ran away south.

In her purse were a wallet, $45 cash and assorted other items.

Although the victim suffered a bloody nose and scratches to her back, she refused medical attention, police said.

She described the attacker as a white man age 19-22, 5'8 to 5'9 and 140-150 pounds, green eyes, blond hair, light complexion, wearing a blue hoodie with yellow writing and dark blue jeans.


* * *

A 30-year-old Vittum Park man and a 43-year-old Back of the Yards man were beaten by a cluster of 15 thugs at the corner of 47th and Laporte at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, November 24.

The men told police they were leaving a house near the corner when they saw the group surrounding a 40-year-old man. When the pair rushed over to defend the man surrounded, they were beaten by the group with punches, kicks and an unknown blunt object.

After the group of attackers left, the two men were transported via ambulance to hospitals---one to MacNeal, the other to Mount Sinai.

They described the thugs as black men in their early 20s. No further details were given.


* * *

A Scottsdale man was robbed at gunpoint as he walked west near 83rd and Keeler at 12:25 a.m. Saturday, November 24.

He told police that four men in a black, four-door Chevy Cavalier (with a dented passenger-side front) pulled up. One man jumped out, brandished a pistol and said "Give me your stuff."

The victim handed over his belongings; and then the robber jumped back in the car, which sped away east on 83rd Street.

Stolen were a cell phone, an iPod and a wallet containing credit/debit cards, $80 cash and a Matricula card.

The four offenders were described as black men ages 20-25 years old. The gun man was described as 5'8 and 155 pounds, wearing a black jacket, black ski mask and blue jeans.


* * *

Two burglars fled a home near 73rd and Ridgeway after an 18-year-old man and his dog fought back.

The crime occurred at about 1:50 p.m. Saturday, November 24.

When the 18-year-old heard the burglars in the home, he grabbed a kitchen knife and hid in a closet. A short time later, after several belongings had been stolen, the victim burst from the closet to confront the burglars. During the ensuing struggle, the victim's dog bit one of the crooks on the leg.

The criminals fled in an unknown direction.

Stolen were a PlayStation 3 video game console and an iPod.

The burglars were described as white Hispanic men age 27-35, both about 5'9 and 130 pounds, both with black hair (one with long hair, the other with a shaved hair style). The victim told police he has seen them in the neighborhood before and could identify them if he saw them again.


* * *

A 29-year-old Chicago Lawn man told police he was robbed at knife point on the front porch of a house near 67th and Keeler at 8:17 p.m. Friday, November 23.

After robbing the victim, the criminal jumped into a white vehicle and sped away north.

Stolen were the victim's cell phone and wallet with $50 cash.

The victim described the offender only as a white Hispanic man age 20-23.


* * *

A Back of the Yards man was robbed at gun point as he stood at a bus stop at 47th and Knox at 6:14 p.m. Wednesday, November 21.

Two criminals walked up to him, one asking "How much longer before the bus gets here?" and "What model cell phone do you have?" and "Can I borrow your phone?" The other thug then pulled a black pistol, and the victim surrendered his cell phone. The pair then ran away west toward Cicero Avenue.

The crooks were described as black men ages 18, both about 5'8 and 140 pounds. The gun man wore a white hoodie. The other wore a black jacket with a white star on the back and dark blue jeans.


* * *

Burglars removed the window of a garage near 58th and Mobile, knocked down a ladder, stole three bicycles, opened the overhead door and fled.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 53-year-old woman, at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 21.


* * *

Burglars entered the front door of an apartment near 59th and Lawndale and stole a TV, an Xbox video game console, assorted video games, a bracelet, and $400 cash.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 40-year-old woman, when she came home from work at noon Wednesday, November 21. There was no sign of forced entry, and all doors were locked; but the victim told police that the burglars may have used a spare key she routinely hid outside.


* * *

Burglars broke a rear window of a home near 45th and Kilpatrick and stole a PlayStation 3 video game console, an Xbox video game console and assorted games, a portable Xbox, a laptop computer, a computer router, and two DirectTV boxes.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old woman, at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 20 when she came home and saw the window shattered and the back door open.


* * *

Burglars kicked through the bottom panel of the side door of a home near 59th and Rutherford, entered and stole a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a gold bracelet, a gold necklace, a pair of earrings and $1,600 cash.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 57-year-old man, when he came home at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 21.


* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 813 or Beat 833 (see map above), come to West Lawn Park at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 27. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.

 
# # # 

Monday, November 26, 2012

Christmas Trees Sprout in Garfield Ridge

For many years, one of the surest signs of the holiday season has been the annual re-appearance of the Christmas tree lot just east of Archer and Oak Park.

The trees arrived about a week ago---wrapped in netting and carefully laid out in a row.





Then around Thanksgiving, a crew came out to unwrap the trees, trim the trunks and set them up on display---ready for sale.











# # #


Friday, November 23, 2012

There's Plenty of Crime in the Suburbs


By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

The Southwest Chicago Post reports on local crime news so that we Southwest Siders can better arm ourselves with current, relevant information---which all of us can use to better protect ourselves, our property and each other; as well as demand more and better police resources from the politicians we elect to serve us.



One thing we never want to do is unintentionally create unfounded fear among law-abiding men and women on the Southwest Side---some of whom sadly live under the flawed assumption that the burglaries, robberies, assaults and batteries seen on the Southwest Side are virtually non-existent in the suburbs.

So let's be clear. There's plenty of crime---including gang crime---in the suburbs.


We Southwest Siders typically don't hear about it because:

** ...the downtown news media have a severely disproportionate focus on city crime. It's sexy. It sells newspapers and helps build big and lucrative audiences for radio and TV newscasts. And when they hammer Chicago's mayor (whoever he or she may be at the time) over crime, it's that much more entertaining, in their view.

** ...the downtown news media generally ignore most suburban crime; partly because it's viewed as too local for their broad audience, and partly because reporters and editors know they'll never win awards and advance their careers by reporting on crime in Westmont or Burbank or Tinley Park or Orland Hills or Mokena.

** ...even if they wanted to report suburban crime, they would be blocked by many (if not most) suburban police departments that hide major crimes from the press (and public) and instead offer reporters (and the public) a meager diet of traffic stops, shoplifting arrests, bicycle thefts and marijuana busts.

** ...a number of smaller, suburban newspapers---being controlled or at least compromised by local politicians---downplay crime and sometimes ignore it entirely.

** ...what little suburban crime that does make the news is not seen by most Southwest Siders, who typically do not read suburban papers.

Those reasons also explain why many suburbanites themselves are unaware of crime---including gang crime---that occurs right in their own backyard. (That plus a little willful ignorance on their part.) So the next time your suburban friends and relatives smugly tell you how wonderful it is where they live (and how you ought to move there), smile and take it with a grain of salt. 

So, here's a tip-of-the-iceberg, recent sampling of suburban crime, gleaned from a respectable news source---Patch.com.

Oak Lawn---A 57-year-old patient’s purse was stolen while she was getting a CAT scan at Advocate Christ Medical Center. Oak Lawn police said the patient had left her room for the procedure around 9:00 a.m. November 13. Before she left, she placed her purse inside the drawer of the bedside table. When she returned from the test around noon, she noticed her purse was missing. The patient called a nurse to tell her what happened. As she and the nurse were talking, an Advocate public safety officer came in the room to say he had found the patient’s purse in a restroom near the elevators on another floor. Police said the patient went through her purse and found her debit and credit cards and two rings to be missing. The nurse told the patient to file a police report with the Oak Lawn police. The hospital public safety officer told the patient he’d be back the next day to file a report. As the patient was on the phone canceling her credit cards, her bank called to say that her debit card had been used at the Bedford Park Target and several other stores. The hospital also had no record of a public safety officer visiting a patient, nor was the purse theft reported to security.


Oak Lawn---Car part thieves swiped catalytic converters from two cars on Cicero Avenue. The owner of a 2001 Jeep Cherokee discovered that someone removed the catalytic converter around 3:22 p.m. on Nov. 3. A second theft was discovered at 10:40 a.m. the next day on the 9700 block of South Cicero Ave.

Oak Lawn---Police found gang graffiti, possibly from the Latin Kings, written in black marker on the toadstools at Wolfe Park at 5190 W. 107th St. around 4:30 p.m.. There were two five-point crowns drawn on the playground equipment.

Oak Lawn--A possible prowler was reported trying to enter a home on the 10000 block of South Kostner Avenue around 3:47 a.m. The homeowner was awake listening to music when she heard the front door knob rattle as if someone were trying to open it. She looked out her bedroom window and saw a man, later identified as Fabian Lopez, 20, of Tinley Park, walking from the front door toward the backyard. The homeowner alerted her husband who said he heard the rear storm door open. He opened the back door and asked Lopez what he was doing. The husband told police that Lopez appeared to be highly intoxicated, reports said. Police said that Lopez walked away without saying anything. The alleged prowler continued walking northbound on Kostner, and then began to jog eastbound on 99th Street. Police caught up Lopez and detained him. The husband positively identified him as the person lurking around their house, reports said. Lopez was charged with criminal trespassing.

Frankfort---Between Nov. 1 and Nov. 6, unknown persons removed two snowplows from the property of Lincoln-Way East High School on the 200 block of W. Colorado Avenue in Frankfort. Each snowplow was 8 feet by 10 feet wide and weighed about 900 pounds. The loss value totaled approximately $20,000.

Tinley Park---A purse with $45 in cash, a check book and various credit cards was taken from a 2004 Dodge Caravan parked in the parking lot of Woman's Workout World, 16015 Harlem Ave., according to a police report. When the owner called the bank to cancel her debit card, she was told $640.93 had been taken from her account and used at the Home Depot in Frankfort, the report stated.

Tinley Park---A Garmin GPS, an I-PASS tollway transponder, cell phone charger and a digital camera were taken from an 2007 Ford Explorer parked in a residential driveway in the 17900 block of 66th Avenue, according to a police report. The SUV was parked in the driveway from the evening of Nov. 4 to the morning of Nov. 5, and the passenger door lock was damaged, the report stated.

Orland Park---The case against a 28-year-old Orland Park man charged with felony possession of child pornography after police said they found the images on his computer is moving forward, with the arraigment set for Dec. 4. Eric Holt appeared briefly in Judge Peter Felice's Markham courtroom Tuesday. He is out on $100,000 bond on the charges and is also on electronic monitoring. Holt was arrested in October after child pornography was found a computer belonging to him, according to Orland Park Police Commander John Keating.

Mokena---Criminal defacement of property was discovered at 9:24 a.m. Thursday, November 8 on the 9400 block of Enterprise Drive. Unknown persons spray-painted a building with graffiti, including symbols and phrases, some of which were explicit. The Will County Sheriff’s Department recently dealt with a similar occurrence in the same neighborhood.

Mokena---A Mokena woman residing on the 10500 block of Camden Court reported at 7:38 p.m. Wednesday, November 7 that she was a victim of identity theft. The woman stated that unknown persons had opened numerous credit cards in her name and made multiple purchases without her permission for a total amount of $5,790.23. She reported that the transactions took place in Willowbrook, Conroe and Houston TX. All purchases occurred between Oct. 26 and Oct. 31, but the woman didn’t become aware of what happened until several days later. She was able to cancel all the cards. The woman also told police that the offenders set up an account in her name with JPMorgan Chase in April and made regular payments on it until recently. Four accounts were opened without her permission.

Burr Ridge---A resident from the 1200 block of Kenmare Drive reported the theft of two rings worth a combined $4,600 from a locked jewelry box that was in a closet of the resident's home.

Burr Ridge---A resident from the 0-100 block of Waterside Place reported that items including one earring and several rare coins worth a combined $2,000 were stolen from a bedroom in the home.

Clarendon Hills---A resident from the 200 block of Woodstock Avenue reported at 11:44 a.m. that two of three boxes delivered to his home by UPS were missing. UPS confirmed that three boxes were delivered, but police said the complainant reported receiving only one. There are no suspects.

Clarendon Hills---A $5,000 home generator was stolen from the backyard of a house in the 300 block of 56th Street. The resident discovered the missing generator. Its gas and power lines had been cut. There are no suspects.

Hinsdale---An iPhone and iPad worth a combined $1,300 were stolen during a residential burglary in the 500 block of west Chicago Avenue between 8:15 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Friday, a time frame during which the home was empty and its doors were unlocked according to the Hinsdale Police Department.

Hinsdale---Robert R. Rybka, 22, of the 300 block of Radcliffe Way, Hinsdale, was arrested at 9 a.m. and charged with possession of stolen property after police say he attempted to sell at a Westmont sports resale shop a set of golf clubs that had been stolen from an unlocked garage in the 100 block of North Washington Street between 7 p.m. Sept. 26 and 10 a.m. Sept. 27.

La Grange---A 17-year-old La Grange boy was arrested and charged (as an adult) with robbery, manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance (two counts), manufacture and delivery of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest after police said he attempted an aggravated mugging of a juvenile victim in Gordon Park at around 4:12 p.m. According to police, the victim was walking through the park when two males attacked him. The teens stole the victim’s backpack and belongings, the report said. The 17-year-old boy was apprehended leaving the scene. Police have not filed charges against the second person.

La Grange---Criminal damage to property was reported at 8:50 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church on the 500 block of South Park Road. The church’s tin organ tubes were damaged to the tune of more than $2,000.

La Grange---A complainant reported at 4:25 p.m. that her black satchel, which included her car keys, wallet and other miscellaneous items, had been left unattended in a classroom at Lyons Township High School North Campus between 3:00 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. and stolen. The value of the satchel was not estimated.

Palos Heights---Two Chicago men believed to a part of a gang-related string of suburban burglaries, including at least three in Palos Heights, were charged Thursday. Tyrone Hughes, 22, of the 4100 block of South Prairie and Christopher J. Carter, 20, of the 600 block of block of West Vermont are charged with possession of stolen property. Additional charges of residential burglary and unlawful use of a weapon are pending, police said. The two men are suspected in Palos Heights burglaries from Sept. 13 and Oct. 1, said Palos Heights Detective Tim Holder. Investigators believe Gangster Disciples based in the Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood are operating a type of ruse burglary operation in the suburbs. Burglars drive around in white pickup truck with lawnmowers. They then knock on the front door of a home and offer to cut the grass if anyone answers. Otherwise, they break into the house. “In one case, they started to cut the grass even though no one was home,” Holder said.


* * *


And check out the spread of street gangs into the burbs at this list:http://chicagogangs.org/index.php?pr=BURBS_SECTION


An outdated list, for sure, but it makes the point that gangs and gang factions are steadily moving into the burbs and marking turf (and fighting over turf).

The lesson to be learned for all of us on the Southwest Side? You can't successfully run away from crime by running to the suburbs.

The solution to crime in our neighborhoods is as close as our own mirrors. We have the ability to stand together against criminals, to stand shoulder to shoulder as we absolutely refuse to accept criminal activity and refuse to accept anything less than clean, safe neighborhoods in which to live, work, play, study, worship, shop, and more. Neighborhoods where we can raise our families and grow old in peace and comfort. Neighborhoods where "the good old days" are now---because we made it that way by working together.

Gangbangers and other punks have no chance against a community of strong, smart men and women united against them and for each other. It's a contest of wills. A contest we can certainly win.


# # #


Wednesday, November 21, 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.

* * *

A "Loser" t-shirt apparently was a good fit for a criminal who tried but failed to break into a garage near 46th and Hamlin at about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, November 18.


(example only)
According to a 62-year-old homeowner's video surveillance camera trained on the garage, the would-be burglar and an accomplice spent up to nine minutes trying unsuccessfully to break into the garage via the service door before noticing the camera, giving up and running away.

The average burglar can get into a garage in under a minute, according to law enforcement authorities.

The victim discovered the damaged but still locked service door later in the morning, reviewed the video and contacted police.

The crook wearing the "Loser" t-shirt appeared to be a white man age 25-35 wearing a baseball cap, according to the homeowner. She is sharing video with police for further analysis.


* * *


A pair of criminals walked into Lyla Jewelers in Ford City at 5:05 p.m. Sunday, November 18. One attempted to distract a sales clerk (a 39-year-old Burbank man) as the other pulled out a hammer and smashed a display case---taking a jewelry box and a tray of 18 white gold rings valued at $17,000 before fleeing the mall.

The robbers were described as black men---one about age 20 and the other 20-29 years old, both about 6'0 and 160-190 pounds, medium complexion.





* * *

Two thugs snatched a gold chain with a religious cross pendant off the neck of an 87-year-old man in front of his apartment near 48th and Karlov.

The crime occurred at 11:55 a.m.Monday, November 19. According to a 30-year-old neighbor who witnessed the aftermath, the two robbers ran south on Karlov and were later spotted heading into Super Mall of the Midway, 5220 South Pulaski.

Through a Polish-language interpreter, the victim described the offenders as white Hispanic boys ages 16-17. One was 5'2 to 5'5 and 110-130 pounds; the other was 5'7 to 5'10 and 140-150 pounds. Both wore dark clothes.


* * *

A 43-year-old Cicero man delivering food for Villa Rosa Pizza was robbed in a yard near 50th and Kolin at about 9:45 p.m. Sunday, November 18.

A trio of thugs walked up and said "Let's stab 'em" before grabbing him and forcibly taking from him a cell phone, a wallet with personal IDs and three credit/debit cards, a cell phone, a WiFi hotspot device, a black North Face fleece jacket and $150 cash.

The robbers then fled east through a gangway a down a street.

They are described as two white Hispanic men and one black Hispanic man, all ages 18-25 and wearing dark clothing and hoodies.


* * * 

A dispute over a bicycle led to the stabbing of a 23-year-old West Elsdon man at 3:20 p.m. Sunday, November 18 on the street near 55th and Springfield.

The victim saw a man riding a bike that appeared to be one that had been stolen from him. He confronted the man, an argument ensued, and the man stabbed the victim the groin before riding away west toward Pulaski.

The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics and transported by CFD ambulance to Christ Hospital and Medical Center.

The offender was described as a black man age 25, wearing a black skull cap, gray sweatshirt and blue jeans.


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Burglars broke through the service door of a garage near 70th Place and Central Park and stole a rented power washer.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 43-year-old man, when he came home at 3:20 a.m. Tuesday, November 20 and saw both garage doors open.


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Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 61st and Neenah and stole a snow blower, a lawn mower, a power washer, a generator and assorted power tools.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old woman, at about 4:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 20 after she was woken up by a noise and saw the backyard gate open and the service door forced open.


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Burglars broke through the service door of a garage near 57th and Parkside and stole a car parked inside---a 1982 Cadillac Seville four-door sedan, white and maroon/burgundy in color.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 75-year-old man, at about 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 19.


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Burglars entered the back door of a home near 85th and Kildare and stole a TV and up to $20,000 worth of jewelry, according to the victim, a 59-year-old man.

The crime was reportedly discovered at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 20; but was not reported to police until more than eight hours later.


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Burglars shattered the back window of a home near 60th and Tripp, entered via the back door and stole a camera and assorted jewelry.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 59-year-old man, when he came home from work at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 20.


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A 15-year-old Chicago Lawn boy and a 15-year-old West Elsdon girl were robbed of their cell phones and a total of $15 cash as they walked north on a sidewalk near 61st and Hamlin at about 5:00 p.m. Monday, November 19.

Two thugs approached them and asked the boy "What are you?" When the boy denied any gang affiliation, the robbers flashed gang signs and instructed the victims to stand still. They then went through their pockets. As they left, they told the victims they might get their phones back if they joined the gang.

Police noted that one of the robbers was described as a white man age 19-20, 6'0 and 140 pounds with light brown hair.


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Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 46th and Komensky and stole an air compressor, a lawn mower, a snow blower, a tool set and a radio.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 20-year-old man, when he returned from vacation at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, November 15.


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Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 813 or Beat 833 (see map), come to West Lawn Park at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 27. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.

 
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