Sunday, March 30, 2014

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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Police arrested a 37-year-old West Lawn man and charged him with unlawful possession of
Gustavo Prieto
a weapon after he allegedly fired a pistol into the air while outside his home near 61st and Karlov.

Gustavo Prieto is scheduled to appear in court to answer charges on Monday, March 31 in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 155 West 51st Street.

Police responding to a "shots fired" call at 1:13 a.m. Sunday, March 23 said they found four spent 9 mm shells near the rear of Prieto's home. As they investigated further by ringing the front doorbell, they said they saw Prieto hide a pistol behind a wall-mounted TV.

Upon receiving permission from Prieto's mother (the home's owner) to search the premises, police said they found an empty ammunition magazine on the kitchen table and the gun behind the TV.

Police described Prieto as "very intoxicated" and belligerent. While in custody at the Eighth District station, he allegedly told police, "I f~cking fought for this country in Vietnam and Iraq. Leave me f~cking alone" and that he allegedly claimed to be a gangbanger.

Police added that a computer check revealed that the gun was not registered and that Prieto is a convicted felon.

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A 21-year-old South Side man has been charged with aggravated robbery after he allegedly took a cell phone from and then stabbed an 18-year-old Brighton Park man on the street in front of 5550 South Pulaski.

Dorian D. Miller of 99th and Wentworth was arrested on the street by police at about 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, March 25. The victim told police that he had initially encountered Miller near 54th and Pulaski, where Miller had asked to borrow his cell phone, but then allegedly bolted south with the phone.

A local business executive who said he saw the incident offered to give the victim a ride to search for Miller. He did, and they found Miller two blocks south. When the victim got out and confronted him, Miller allegedly pulled a knife and said, "You come near me and I'm gonna cut you."

The victim then started fighting with Miller, who allegedly stabbed the victim once in the left thigh and twice in the lower right leg before police intervened. The victim was transported via CFD ambulance to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was said to be in good condition.

Miller is a student at Daley College, according to a CPD incident report.


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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, April 2. 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.



A 22-year-old West Elsdon man told police that he was robbed as he stood outside his home near 53rd and Kolin. The crime occurred at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 26. The victim said that the assailant came up from behind and knocked him to the ground.

The robber stole the victim's wallet, cell phone and gym shoes before fleeing on foot northbound. The criminal is described as a white Hispanic man age 17-25, 5'10 to 6'2 and 140-180 pounds, wearing a dark bandanna, a black hoody and black pants.


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An elderly couple in the Ashburn neighborhood told police that two con men attempted to swindle them in their home near 85th Place and Pulaski. The crime occurred at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday, March 25. The men posed as ComEd inspectors and claimed they needed to come inside the home and check for problems. They were let into the house, with one staying with the 85-year-old wife and the other going into the basement with her husband.

At some point, the woman told police, the men claimed that ComEd had overcharged them for electricity, and that they offered to help them get a refund if they would put up a $50 bill.

When the couple refused, the men left in a hurry, the couple said. It was unclear is anything had been stolen from the house, according to the police report. The con artists are described as white men age 50-59, both about 5'8 and 190 pounds.


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Two men posing as utility company employees talked a 94-year-old man into letting them into a residence near 46th and Kilpatrick and then ransacked a bedroom and stole a gold ring.

The crime occurred at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25. The victim, a 67-year-old woman, saw the two men in the gangway when she returned home from running errands. The two thieves are described only as white Hispanic men age 20-30.


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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, April 3. 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.

* * *

Police responding to a "burglary in progress" call at 11:46 a.m. Wednesday, March 19 nabbed two 16-year-old boys (one from Chicago Lawn, the other from West Englewood) as they cowered in a bedroom closet of a home near 68th and Kostner.

Police arriving at the scene said the saw the home's basement door forced open and the interior ransacked. After finding the boys (both students at Gage Park High School), police subdued and arrested them.

Items they allegedly had attempted to steal from the home included assorted jewelry, collectible gold and silver coins, a laptop computer, and $43 cash, were returned to the owner, an 85-year-old woman who was out of state on vacation.



A 60-year-old Ashburn man startled and frightened away a burglar who was halfway through a bedroom window of a home near Pippin and Springfield. The crime occurred at 11:05 a.m. Thursday, March 27. The victim told police that he was in his basement when he heard a loud noise on the first floor and dogs barking. He ran upstairs and saw the criminal. While he was taking off his belt and preparing to swat the intruder, the burglar threw a window handle at him and fled in a  gray pick-up truck.

The offender is described as a black man age 20-28, 5'8 and 160 pounds, brown eyes, short black hair, medium complexion, wearing a red t-shirt and puffy green vest.

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Want to fight crime in Police Beat 811 (central and west Garfield Ridge)? Attend the next meeting of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch, set for 7:00 p.m. at Valley Forge Park, 7001 West 59th Street. Monthly meeting. Open
to the public. One of Chicago's most active and effective citizen-led crime fighting groups. If you live or own a business in central or western Garfield Ridge (anything west of Central Avenue), this is the group to join! This month: learn about the GRNW's new "backside" initiative to spruce up alleys and promote neighborhood pride.

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Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 65th and Hamlin and stole a lawn mower and a snow blower. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 53-year-old man, at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 25.

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Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near 60th and Kilpatrick and stole a lawn mower, a roto tiller, a chain saw, and two buckets of swimming pool-cleaning chemicals. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 62-year-old man, at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 25.

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Burglars forced open the front door of a vacant home near 67th Place and Springfield and stole a furnace, a refrigerator, a stove, an automatic dishwasher, and a compressor from an air conditioning unit. The crime was discovered at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 24 by a property manager for Fifth Third Bank, the owner of the house.

* * *




Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near 60th and Keating and stole two snow blowers. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 64-year-old woman, at noon Monday, March 17.

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Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near 53rd and Lawndale and stole a lawn mower and a hydraulic car jack. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 56-year-old woman, at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25.

* * *

A burglar forced open the back door of a home near 51st and Laporte and stole a laptop computer. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 64-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 6:20 p.m. Friday, March 21.

A 17-year-old neighbor told police he had seen a man exiting the home at about 2:45 p.m., but did not call 911. The burglar is described as a white man, 5'7 and 170 pounds, wearing a red baseball cap, red sweater and black pants.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 68th and Keeler and stole a four-door, copper colored,1999 Jeep Wrangler. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 26-year-old man, at 8:00 a.m. Saturday, March 22.

* * *


Burglars entered the side window of a basement apartment near 55th and Kenneth and stole assorted items of clothing and $800 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 26-year-old man, when he came home at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, March 29.

* * *


Burglars entered a home near 61st Place and Lawndale and stole a spare key to a car, a Keurig coffee maker, a Sony PlayStation 2, a TV, a Nintendo Wii, 20 Wii games, a cordless phone and a laundry basket. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 35-year-old woman, at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, March 27. Police said they saw no sign of forced entry.

* * *


Burglars entered a garage near 63rd and Neenah and stole a lawn mower and a green garden hose wound around a tan-colored reel. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 63-year-old woman, at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, when she saw that the overhead door was open. Police said they saw no sign of forced entry, and the victim insisted that she had closed the door the previous night. She also claimed the crime was the second time her garage has been burglarized in recent months.

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Saturday, March 29, 2014

CPD Issues Alert About Man in an Older Car Luring Girls Near St. Rita H.S.

The alert below was released by CPD at 7:27 p.m. tonight. The incident occurred east of the Southwest Chicago Post's coverage area, but it may be of value to a wider area.


Bureau of Detectives – Area Central
   
Community Alert
Alert #610-14-074
March 29, 2014
  
Wanted for Attempt Luring
008th District (Chicago Lawn)

About the Crime:

On March 29, 2014 at 10:45 A.M. an unknown male white offender driving an older model silver/tan 4-door vehicle adjacent to an area school in the vicinity of the 7600 block of S. Artesian attempted to lure two females who are 11 and 12 years of age to his vehicle.  Offender approached the victims and with his car windows rolled up motioned for them to come to his vehicle. A young girl medium complexion was observed in the back seat wearing her seat belt.

About The Offender
·        The offender is described as a male white 30-40 years of age
·        Offender balding in front with dark colored hair on the sides, slight mustache and light complexion.

About The Vehicle
·        4-door silver and tan vehicle, possibly a Buick
·        Last seen in the vicinity of the 7600 block of S. Artesian

What you can do:
·        Be aware of this situation and alert your neighbors.
·        Call 911 to report any suspicious persons, vehicles or activity in your neighborhood.
·        Do not let children walk alone.  Identify safe havens along your child's. route to school and home, such as businesses or trusted neighbors.
·        Find out how to start a Parent Patrol or Walking School Bus Program at your child's school. 


If you have any information Contact the Bureau of Detectives – Area Central
(312) 747-8380

Friday, March 28, 2014

Archer Heights Civic Association to Host Andy Shaw of the Better Gov't. Assoc.

Better Government Association President and CEO Andy Shaw will serve as featured guest
Andy Shaw
speaker at the next meeting of the Archer Heights Civic Association, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 at the UNO Veterans Memorial
 School, 47th and Kildare.

The Archer Heights Civic Association, one of the oldest and most successful community organizations in Chicago, is beginning its 76th year of service in making the neighborhood one of the very best in the city.


Shaw is the second top-shelf speaker landed by the AHCA in recent months. In January, Governor Pat Quinn spoke and installed the AHCA's new slate of officers---a reflection on the group's strong reputation for effectiveness as an independent neighborhood advocacy organization.

According to a statement released by the AHCA:

The BGA has a five unit organizational structure as follows: Investigative Unit, Policy Advocacy Unit, Citizen Watchdog Training Unit, Citizen Education and Communication Unit and the Richard H. Driehouse Foundation Awards for Investigative Reporting. Their mission as stated on their website is to “work for integrity, transparency, and accountability in government by exposing corruption and inefficiency; identifying and advocating effective public policy; and engaging and mobilizing the electorate to achieve authentic and responsible reform."

Biographical information from the BGA web site regarding Andy Shaw, who many of our members remember as a long time television reporter is as follows: Andy Shaw is an award-winning Chicago journalist who spent 37 years covering local, state and national politics, business, education, and day-to-day news at the City News Bureau of Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times, NBC 5 and ABC 7. Shaw’s coverage of President Obama’s inauguration in January 2009 marked his final "official" report after 26 years as ABC 7’s political reporter. After taking a short break to "recharge his batteries," Shaw joined the BGA in June 2009 as Executive Director. He was named President and CEO in 2011.”


Considering Illinois, Cook County and Chicago are always political hot beds, Mr. Shaw’s take on our political climate, especially the upcoming general election in November, should be most interesting.  Plan to attend and bring a few neighbors.  As usual, cake and coffee will be served after  the meeting.

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Cacciottolo Fields Range of Questions at Meeting of Garfield Ridge Civic League

The featured speaker at the March meeting of the Garfield
Cacciottolo (center), and GRCL officers.
Ridge Civic League was Al Cacciottolo, 23rd Ward superintendent for the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation.


He came to talk about the ins and outs of the city's snow plowing operation, as it applies to the 23rd Ward---but not surprisingly, the 15 or so people in attendance had questions about a range of issues outside the scope of what Streets and San does.

Cacciottolo, a Garfield Ridge resident and businessman, as well as one of Chicago's most visible and effective citizen crime fighters (as president of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch), was up to the task, talking about potholes, rats, garbage carts, broken water pipes, tree trimming and removal, airport-related noise abatement, the future of the land at 56th and Narragansett, the future of the land that used to be the site of the LeClaire Courts public housing project, and more.

Rough-cut video--32 minutes' worth--below.





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Monday, March 24, 2014

St. Nick's Musicians Do Well at St. Rita

Just sharing some good news from our friends at St. Nicholas of Tolentine School:



St. Nicholas of Tolentine School band students participated in a band solo contest on March 15 at the St. Rita High School.   

Two students received perfect scores: Samuel Pena and Sara Cintron.

Many students received a "superior" rating.

Great job, Tigers!

To learn more about St. Nicholas of Tolentine School (“A Place Where Students Flourish and Talents Flow”), please contact the school office at (773) 735-0772.

In the photo are Samantha Zapata, Diana Iepan, Monserrat Alvarez, Samuel Pena, Cesar Lopez, Kirsten Campos, Sara Cintron, Ayden Mercado, Adrian Aguirre, Brian Diaz, Elizabeth Lopez, Carlos Sims, Samuel Ramos, and Isidro Molina. All students pictured earned a "superior" rating in the contest, except for Pena and Cintron, who earned "perfect" ratings.

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'Guys and Dolls' Auditions This Week

Just passing along some last-minute news from the Hale Theatre Company:


The Hale Theatre Company will hold open auditions for the musical "Guys and Dolls, from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 and Thursday, March 27 at Hale Park, 6258 West 62nd Street.

All roles are available. You will be asked to sing a song of
your choice, either from the show or a song of your choice. If you have a track you would like to sing with, please bring it with you. You will also be asked to read from the script. from the show.

There will be a dance/movement audition as well for those auditioning for dance roles.

The production is directed by Lauren J. Polenske, with choreography by Michael-Colin Reed and vocal direction by Jason Baumann.

Performance dates are May 29-30-31. For a breakdown of characters/songs, please visit the "Guys and Dolls" show page at mtishows.com. If you cannot attend auditions, but are interested in performing in the production, please call (773) 575-6079 to schedule an alternate time to audition.

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Sunday, March 23, 2014

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.

* * *

Two men who police say are admitted gangbangers were arrested for aggravated assault after they allegedly threatened a 33-year-old West Elsdon man on the street at 50th and Kostner at 10:57 p.m. Friday, March 21.

Michael Calderon, 24, of 18th Place and Carpenter, and Christian Delgado, 20, of 50th and Kenneth, were arrested after police found them sitting in a car parked in front of 5029 South Kolin. The car matched the description given to police by the victim (a tan Mercury Marquis with temporary license plates), who also positively identified them, according to police.

The victim said that Calderon and Delgado drove up to him, and that Calderon pointed a gun at him and said, "Get off the street, or I'm going to shoot you."

* * *

An armed thug robbed the GameStop store at 5143 South Pulaski, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash.

The crime occurred at 8:50 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. The robber waved a pistol and made
5143 South Pulaski
a customer (a 44-year-old West Elsdon man) lie on the floor behind the service counter. He then ordered a clerk to empty both cash registers, saying "I don't want to hurt you. I just want the money--not your money, but theirs (GameStop's)."

The cashier, a 37-year-old Clearing woman, complied and put cash on the counter. She was then ordered to open the store's safe, but told the robber that the safe had a time-delay opening. The robber ordered her to open it anyway, but became agitated when additional customers walked in the store. He fled out the front door.

He is described as a black man age 20-30, 6'0 to 6'3 and 170-200 pounds, brown eyes, dark complexion, wearing a black hoody and dark-colored jeans.

* * *

A 20-year-old West Elsdon man who caught three gangbangers spraying gang graffiti on his garage near 56th Place and Central Park, was beaten with a pipe by the trio when he confronted them.

The crime occurred at 1:10 a.m. Saturday, March 22. After beating the victim on the head, face and hands, the trio sped away in a Mercedes Benz driven by a woman. The victim refused medical treatment, police said.

The three thugs are described as white Hispanic men age 19-22. The driver is described as a white Hispanic woman age 19-22.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you
live in Beat 813 or 833 (see map), come to West Lawn Park at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 25. 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.


* * *

Police responding to an alarm on a garage near 54th and Komensky interrupted a burglary, but the criminal escaped. The crime occurred at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 18 after the offender broke a window to gain access to the garage. Police heading up the alley saw a man rolling a snowblower out of the garage. When he saw them, he let go of the snowblower and fled on foot. The offender was described only as a 40-year-old man with a "physical impairment" on his face.

* * *

Burglars pried open the back door of a home near 52nd and Hamlin and stole a TV, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a camera, $50 cash and the keys to two vehicles. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 55-year-old man, at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 21.

* * *

Burglars entered a home near 54th and Kedvale and stole an iPad and assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victims, a 66-year-old woman and a 71-year-old man, when they came home from running errands at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 20. Police said they saw no sign of forced entry.

* * *

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* * *

Burglars kicked in the rear door of a home near 54th and Nordica and stole a large amount of cash and possibly other items. The crime was discovered by the victim, an 87-year-old man, at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 19. Two bedrooms were ransacked, and the victim told police that a total of $5,900 cash had been stolen.

* * *

Burglars forced their way into a garage near 71st and Hamlin and stole a generator, a snowblower, assorted tools, and a red 1989 Chevy pickup truck. The crime was reported to police by the victim, a 34-year-old man, shortly after 5:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 19.

* * *

A 40-year-old Clearing man told police that his apartment near 62nd and Massasoit was burglarized. He said that at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, he came home to find his neighbor in his apartment without permission, and that the neighbor, a 28-year-old man, fled when he saw him. Reportedly missing were a wedding ring, a number of video games, a number of prescription medications, and $400 cash. The CPD incident report gave no indication on whether the suspect had been located and arrested.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the basement window of a residence near 48th and Tripp and ransacked two apartments inside. Stolen, according to the victims (a 28-year-old woman and a 43-year-old woman), were a TV, a tablet computer, two laptop computers, two cell phones, three watches, assorted tools, 10 bottles of perfume, three pairs of sunglasses, a disc jockey system, a car stereo system, two iPads, an Xbox 360, a Nintendo Wii, a camera, and $10,000 cash.

The crime was discovered by the landlord, a 62-year-old Garfield Ridge man, at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 18.



* * *

Burglars pried open the back door of a home near 48th and Kilpatrick and ransacked two bedrooms. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 77-year-old man, when he came home from a medical appointment at 12:30 p.m. Monday, March 17. He told police that he found empty jewelry boxes on the floor and was initially unsure of exactly what was stolen.


* * *

Burglars kicked in the back door of a home near 52nd and Kenneth and stole two TVs. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 75-year-old man, at 6:00 p.m. Monday, March 17.


* * *

Burglars forced open the rear door of a home near 54th and Springfield and stole a PlayStation 3 video game console and a Kindle Fire. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 47-year-old man, when he returned from running errands at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 19.




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