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 28-year-old West Lawn man was arrested after police said they caught him in the Clearing
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| Lavell D. Strong |
Lavell D. Strong of 68th and Kedvale was charged with theft, according to a CPD incident report, although according to the Cook County Department of Corrections, he is charged only with possession of burglary tools.
A representative of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office said Thursday that he was unable to explain the discrepancy and was searching for a clarification.
He is due in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 155 West 51st Street, on Monday.
Police on patrol were flagged down by a citizen at about 4:45 a.m. Monday, November 10, who said he saw a suspicious-looking silver Ford SUV with no front license plate, prowling slowly--with its headlights off--near 63rd and Monitor.
Minutes later, police said they spotted the vehicle headed west on 61st Street, near Moody. They curbed it near 63rd and Melvina. Police said that when they asked Strong what he has doing in the area, he allegedly said, "Gonna visit a female." When asked where he lives, Strong allegedly replied, "61st and something."
Police searched the vehicle and found the converters, which appeared to be freshly cut, along with a cordless power saw with a warm battery and 16 extra blades and two extra batteries, according to the CPD incident report.
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An alert 37-year-old West Lawn man who called 911 promptly to report a catalytic converter theft played a key role in the apprehension of two men and a woman, police said.
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| Johnnie S. Beach |
A short time later, police spotted a vehicle matching the description near 67th and California. They curbed it and apprehended Johnnie S. Beach, 25, of 58th and Winchester, and Gabrielle Thompson, 29, of 69th and Morgan.
A third person bolted and fled on foot, police added, but turned himself in later. He is identified as Michael Taylor, 27, of 64th and Maplewood.
Inside the SUV, police said they found six catalytic converters, as well as a cordless power saw and a battery pack.
Beach was charged with theft, according to a CPD incident report, although according to the Cook County Department of Corrections, he is charged only with possession of burglary tools.
A representative of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office said Thursday that he was unable to explain the discrepancy and was searching for a clarification.
Beach is due in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 155 West 51st Street, on Tuesday.
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Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 814 (see map), come to Vittum Park at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 13. 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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Both incidents only burglar tools??????
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