Wednesday, May 29, 2013

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 42-year-old Clearing man was arrested yesterday and charged with attempting to rob the
Charles Simek
7-Eleven at 5953 West 63rd Street.


Charles Simek of 6134 South Mason is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 151 West 51st Street, on Tuesday, June 4.

Simek allegedly walked into the convenience store with a
Simek in custody.
black-handled knife and demanded money from a clerk, a 27-year-old Clearing woman. The clerk told police that she replied that she had no money, and then the robber walked out and fled in an unknown direction.


A short time later, when police were on the scene investigating, Simek allegedly walked back into the store. The clerk positively identified him, and an off-duty suburban police officer, along with Eighth District police, took him into custody in the 7-Eleven parking lot.


Still of Simek from a dashboard camera.
Police said they suspect that Simek may have been intoxicated. A witness at the scene described Simek as "hammered."

In 2009 Simek was arrested for criminal trespass to a residence after he was allegedly knocking on doors and bothering people in Oak Lawn.

(Editor's note: Our gratitude to SWCP reader and Garfield Ridge resident Chuck Dryden for capturing and sharing the two on-scene images presented here, as well as providing other information about the incident.)


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An alert neighbor who saw something and said something, coupled with a quick response by Eighth District Police, led to the arrest of a West Lawn gangbanger on burglary charges.

Emanuel Garcia, 33, of 3609 West 70th Street, is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 151 West 51st Street, on Friday, May 31.


Emanuel Garcia
Police responding to a "burglary in progress" call to a residence near 59th and Hamlin at 9:23 a.m. Friday, May 24 said they noticed the home's side door forced open.

When they entered the home, they said they saw Garcia standing at the top of a stairway. He allegedly attempted to flee, but was apprehended. Police said they searched him and found five pieces of gold jewelry, as well as $1,000 cash--all belonging to the homeowner, a 56-year-old woman who was at work at the time.

Police also reportedly found marijuana on Garcia, as well as a pair of handcuffs, a handcuff key, and a six-point security star. He was positively identified by the neighbor, a 29-year-old woman.

The victim told police that Garcia had knocked on her door at about 8:00 a.m. that morning, before she left for work. She said he claimed that he had seen her marked work vehicle parked in front of her house, and that he was searching for a job. She said she sent him away and told him to apply for a job at her office, not her house.

She also said she received a "strange" call on her cell phone a short time later, from a number she did not recognize. While Garcia was in custody, police asked her to dial the number of the caller. When she did, Garcia's cell phone rang, police said.


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Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 815 or 821 (see map), come to St. Bruno School (south entrance) at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 5. 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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At least four offenders used a ladder to scale a back fence and steal an undetermined
4556 West 63rd Street
number of tires and rims from the Medina Tire Shop, 4556 West 63rd Street.


According to surveillance video, the crime occurred at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday, May 22. The crime was discovered later that morning by an employee who arrived at work and saw about 40 rims stacked by the back fence.


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A 40-year-old Clearing man was beaten by two thugs with baseball bats as he sat in his work truck near 62nd and Menard.

The crime occurred at 9:10 p.m. Wednesday, May 22. The two attackers jumped out of a black Mercedes-Benz, smashed a window of the truck and started hitting the victim, who suffered bruises to his head and minor cuts to his left arm.

The criminals, wearing ski masks, then fled in the Mercedes, driven by an accomplice. They were described only as men 5'5 to 5'8 in height. The victim told police he suspects the attack may have stemmed from a personal dispute he has with co-workers.


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A furnace was reportedly stolen from a vacant house near 53rd and Lawndale; but the property manager, a 52-year-old Berwyn man, told police he can't figure out how it happened. All windows and doors were reportedly closed and locked when the man made the discovery at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 22.


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Burglars forced open the back door of a house near 86th and Komensky and stole $200 cash and assorted jewelry.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 38-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 and discovered that her ADT alarm had been pulled off the wall and loose change strewn about the back yard.


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A 21-year-old West Lawn gangbanger was arrested after he allegedly threatened another man with a hammer.

Michael Boese was arrested at 11:35 p.m. Sunday, May 26 after he allegedly got into an argument with a 30-year-old West Lawn man as the two were standing near Top View Restaurant, 4715 West 63rd Street. Police said that Boese is an admitted gang member.

The victim told police that Boese said "I'm gonna f~ck you up" while brandishing a hammer. The victim said he responded by spraying mace in Boese's face. Police arrived, and Boese was taken into custody.


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Burglars forced open a rear basement window of a house near 79th and Kildare and stole a
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laptop computer, a tablet computer, a Kindle reader, two wristwatches, a camer and a small safe with personal documents inside.


The crime was discovered by the victim, a 35-year-old man, when he came home from work at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 22.


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Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 834 (see map), come to Bogan High School at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 6. 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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An 18-year-old woman from West Lawn told police she was robbed of a gold chain while she was walking on a sidewalk near 60th and Kostner.

The crime occurred at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. She said a thug approached her and said "Give me your sh~t." When she refused, he grabbed the chain off her neck and ran away east on 61st Street.

The victim was scratched on her chest, but refused medical attention.

The robber is described as a white Hispanic man age 20-25, 5'8 and 130 pounds, light complexion, brown eyes, straight black hair in a pony tail, at least one piercing on his face, wearing a white t-shirt with a yellow design, black shorts and black Nike gym shoes.


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A 19-year-old West Elsdon man walking his dog near 56th and Kolin was robbed of his cell phone and iPod by two thugs.

The crime occurred at 7:40 p.m. Friday, May 24. The victim told police that one of the robbers said "You know what time it is. Give me your money." When the victim refused, one of the criminals grabbed him from behind and got him in a chokehold while the other went through his pockets.

They then ran away north on Kolin. They are described as white Hispanic males age 15-19, 5'6 to 5'7 and 120-130 pounds, brown eyes, one wearing a black hoody and the other wearing a gray hoody with a Blackhawk logo on it.


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2 comments:

  1. Have to always keep a look out!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Once concealed carry passes, I truly look forward to something telling me "You know what time it is. Give me your money."

    ReplyDelete