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 group of thieves descended upon the h.h. gregg store in the north end of Ford City Mall, pried open a display case and stole about $15,000 worth of such electronics as iPads, iPods, iPhones and tablet computers.

The crime occurred at 9:18 p.m. Wednesday, February 5. A manager told police that a group of eight to 10 people committed the crime, walking out when they were finished and driving away in three vehicles: a silver Chevy Monte Carlo, a blue Chevy Equinox and a black Nissan.

The offenders are described only as black men and women age 16-38.

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Two Garfield Ridge men have been arrested and charged with stealing a package off the front porch of a home near 62nd and Nagle.

David A. Schreck, 21, of 51st and Mobile, and Timothy S. O'Brien, 20, of 54th and Nordica

David A. Schreck

are scheduled to appear before a judge in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48-4, 155 West 51st Street, on Monday, February 10, according to the Cook County Department of Corrections.

Police responding to a call at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 5 said they saw Schreck and O'Brien on the ground, detained by an off-duty police officer, as well as a Streets and Sanitation official who happened to be passing by.

The off-duty officer said he saw Schreck and O'Brien take the package and start walking north on Nagle and opening the box at the same time. He said he then announced his office and asked the two what they were doing. One allegedly responded, "We're not doing nothing." They then allegedly started to run away toward 62nd Street.

The off-duty officer said he hollered for them to stop and get on the ground. O'Brien complied, but Schreck allegedly refused while asking the officer to show his badge. He also allegedly put his hand in his pocket in a manner that implied he had a weapon, the off-duty officer said.

Schreck had no weapon on him, according to police, and the off-duty officer took him down to the ground and detained him. Shortly after that, he allegedly said, "I won't lie to you. We took that package. We thought there was drugs in it. Can you just take me in the alley, beat me up and let me go? I can't go back to jail."

Police arrived and took the pair into custody. They said they found prescription-strength narcotics on Schreck in a package with another man's name on it. Police confiscated and inventoried the drugs.

The merchandise in the box, equipment valued at about $500, was delivered to its owner, a 37-year-old woman. There were no drugs in the package.

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Burglars pried open the back door of a home near 54th and Kedvale and stole assorted jewelry and $1,000 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 58-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 2:45 p.m. Friday, February 7.

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Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 61st and Kilpatrick and stole two toolsets. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 38-year-old man, at 11:15 p.m. Thursday, February 6. The victim told police he saw two people fleeing the garage, but offered no further description.

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Burglars forced open the front door of a home near 60th Place and Hamlin and stole assorted jewelry, a fur coat, an iPad, a Kindle, an Xbox, two laptop computers and two cameras. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 71-year-old man, when he returned from running errands at 2:30 p.m.Tuesday, February 4.

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Burglars forced open the rear door of a home near 57th Place and Pulaski and stole 10 gold rings, a TV and $2,500 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 72-year-old woman, when she came home from church at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 2.

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Burglars forced open the back door of a home near 73rd and Hamlin and stole $600 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old man, at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, February 2.

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Burglars pried open the back door of a home near 50th Place and Hamlin and stole three laptop computers, two handbags and a piggy bank. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 28-year-old woman, at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 3. A neighbor told police that she had heard voices coming from the victim's yard, but did not investigate or call police.

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Burglars kicked in the side door of a home near 55th Place and Springfield and stole assorted jewelry, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a watch and two Nintendo video game consoles. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 42-year-old man, at 12:40 p.m. Monday, February 3.

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