Southwest Chicago Post: March 2018

Thursday, March 29, 2018

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 the western section of the district. 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.

* * *

Trio robs McKinley Park pizzeria
Police are appealing to the public to help identify three men who robbed a McKinley Park pizzeria at gunpoint at 9 p.m. Tuesday, March 20. On store surveillance video released by CPD, the trio enters Humberto’s Pizza, 1858 W. Pershing, with their faces mostly concealed by hoods, scarves and hats. At least one of them was armed with a pistol. After announcing the robbery, the bandits took about $500 cash from a register, as well as an iPhone 7 and a set of car keys from a female employee. The robbers then left the store and fled in a red Ford Escape, a 2013 or newer model. Those with useful information to share about the crime are asked to call CPD Detective Toner at (312) 747-8227 or Area Central headquarters at (312) 747-8380. Anonymous tips also may be submitted at CPDtip.com.

See the video here:

https://www.facebook.com/ChicagoPoliceDepartment/videos/10155036577331534/

Woman busted on Archer prostitution rap
Police have charged a 55-year-old woman with prostitution, as well as operating a

Dong

massage establishment without a license, after they visited a storefront at 6302 S. Archer at 7:55 p.m. Wednesday, March 14. Guiqin Dong was taken into custody after police acted on a tip about massage services touted at the location in an online advertisement. Dong is due in court later this week.

Teen shot in arm in Mozart drive-by
A 15-year-old boy was shot in the arm as he stood outside in the 5700 block of South Mozart at 7:35 p.m. Sunday, March 25. The victim told police that the shooter fired from a light-colored sedan. The teen was transported to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. No one is in custody.

Plainfield couple dead in crash in Archer Heights
Two people from suburban Plainfield were killed when their motorcycle crashed into a semi-trailer truck at 1:16 a.m. Friday, March 23, at 41st and Pulaski. Jason Richard Kenealy, 22, and Lindsey Morgan, 20, were pronounced dead at the scene. Police said that the motorcycle struck the truck as the larger vehicle was turning left onto 41st Street. The truck driver was not injured or ticketed, police added.

advertisement

# # #

Friday, March 23, 2018

Lunch With Easter Bunny at Hale Park

Want to have lunch with the Easter Bunny? Hop on over to

Hale Park, 6258 West 62nd Street, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24.

Food, arts and crafts, music, family fun!

Cost is $15 per lunch.

For details, call Hale Park at (773) 229-1032.

# # #

advertisement

Thursday, March 22, 2018

Midway Baseball Sets Easter Egg Hunt

Our friends at the Midway Baseball & Softball Association are hosting an Easter egg hunt for boys and girls.

Click on the image below for details. See you at the park? :-)

# # #

advertisement

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Crime News Update

* * *

Charged with four counts of attempted murder
A 35-year-old man is due in court today (March 20), charged with four counts of attempted

Devante Wallace

murder and one count of home invasion after he allegedly threatened family members in a home in the West Lawn neighborhood. Devante Wallace was taken into custody by police after they responded to a “domestic disturbance” call in the 6400 block of South Karlov at 8:13 p.m. Sunday, March 18. As the officers entered the first floor, a shot was heard coming from the second floor. A weapon was recovered and no injuries were reported.

Shot in the stomach on Talman
A 21-year-old man was shot in the stomach in a crime committed in the 5300 block of South Talman at 6:47 a.m. Sunday, March 18. He took himself to Holy Cross Hospital, but will be transferred to Mt. Sinai, police said. They offered no other details.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beats 813 or 833 (see map), come to West Lawn Park, 4233 West 65th Street, at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 27 and attend your monthly CAPS meeting. 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.

Robbed, shot while pumping gas
A 21-year-old man was shot in the abdomen and right arm during a robbery that occurred at a gas station in the 7700 block of South Kedzie at about 4:30 a.m. Saturday, March 17. The robber—described only as a black man--fled with the victim’s cash. The victim was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition.

advertisement

Investigate death of man in charred garage
Police are investigating the death of an elderly man found in a garage on fire near 45th and Lawler on Monday morning. Authorities have not yet released the man’s identity, cause of death or cause of the fire, which was extinguished by CFD crews. Police said the man appeared to be in his 70s.

Shot at while driving pickup truck
A 25-year-old Chicago Lawn man reported that someone shot at him as he drove his pickup truck east on 71st Street at about Lawndale at 1:50 a.m. Monday, March 19. The victim told police that the shooter fired from the back seat of a white Dodge vehicle that pulled alongside his pickup truck. The victim was not injured, but his vehicle was damaged, police said. The shooter was described only as a Hispanic boy or man with a light complexion.

Elderly couple robbed of cash, jewelry, furs
A 72-year-old man and his wife were robbed at gunpoint as they parked their car in their garage in the 3200 block of West 83rd Place at 12:20 a.m. Sunday, March 18. The victims told police that a car approached down their alley. Two men got out, and one waved a pistol, saying, “Give us your jewelry and whatever you got.” When the victims handed over a purse, $400 cash, a set of house keys, two wedding bands and a gold watch, the robber added, “Now give us your coats.” The victims complied, handing over a fur coat and a fur jacket. The two offenders then got back into their car, driven by a third man, and sped away west. The robbers were described only as black men age 18-25.

advertisement

Shot fired into her living room
A 46-year-old Hearst area woman reported that a gunman fired a bullet into her home in the 4600 block of South Lawler at 5:35 p.m. Saturday, March 17. The victim told police she was sitting on her couch when she noticed a handful of people outside, talking. Suddenly, she heard several long bangs and saw that a bullet pierced the front wall of her home, went through her curtains and hit a living room wall. Several of the people outside fled in a white vehicle, south on Lawler. There was no significant description of the offenders. Police said they found no shell casings at the scene.

advertisement

Blind man robbed of cash
A 58-year-old Chicago Lawn man was robbed at gunpoint after he got off a CTA bus in front of 6012 S. Kedzie at 11 a.m. Monday, March 5. The victim told police that a short time earlier, he had withdrawn $720 from a bank and was carrying the cash on him. Two men approached him. One slapped his pocket and told him to surrender the cash. “I got a rod,” one robber announced, letting the victim—who is a blind—know he had a gun. “If you take too long, you’re gonna get shot,” he added. The victim complied, and the men ran away with the cash. The victim reported the crime 10 days later.

advertisement

Walks to bus stop, robbed at knifepoint
A Scottsdale man was robbed at knifepoint as he walked down a sidewalk in front of 4130 W. 85th St. at about 6 a.m. Thursday, March 15. The victim told police he was walking to a CTA bus stop when a man walked up, pulled a knife and demanded his belongings. The victim handed over his briefcase (which he said contained a book and a pair of eyeglasses) and his pocket change, which totaled about a dollar. The robber then ran away west on 85th Street. He was described only as a white man about 5-foot-5 and 190 pounds.

advertisement

Sub shop robbed of cash
Two men robbed the Subway sandwich shop at 5131 S. Pulaski, making off with about $200 cash. The crime occurred at about 10 p.m. Monday, March 12. A clerk told police that the bandits jumped over the front counter and said, “Give me the money out of the register and the safe.” When the clerk explained that he did know the safe’s access code, the robbers fled with the money from the cash register. They were described as black men age 20-25, about 5-foot-8 and 170 pounds, with medium complexions. One wore a black hoody with white lettering, and gym shoes with a black-and-white design. The clerk told police that one of the robbers may have been holding a gun.

Arrested again for criminal trespass
A 46-year-old Chicago Lawn man was charged with theft and criminal trespass to a vehicle

Sabino Gomez

after he allegedly entered an unlocked truck parked in the 3600 block of West Marquette Road at 2:40 a.m. Sunday, March 18. Sabino Gomez, of the 6500 block of South Francisco, allegedly stole an air compressor, several jackets and other items belonging to the victim, a 33-year-old West Lawn man. Gomez was reportedly spotted by a friend of the victim. He and the victim said they confronted Gomez and detained him until police arrived. Gomez reportedly denied stealing anything, claiming he entered the vehicle simply to find a place to get warm. According to public records, Gomez also was arrested for criminal trespass to a vehicle in August 2017 in the 1600 block of North Kolmar.

Home from gym, finds house burglarized
Burglars forced open the rear basement window of a home in the 6500 block of South Kildare and stole four Rolex watches, a ring and a necklace. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 58-year-old woman, at 12:50 p.m. Monday, March 12 after she returned home from a local gym.

Burglars hit house on Kilbourn
Burglars forced open the side door of a home in the 5800 block of South Kilbourn, ransacked a bedroom and kitchen and stole a wallet containing $700 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 49-year-old man, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13.

advertisement

Nothing stolen in apartment burglary
Burglars pried open the door of an apartment in the 4200 block of West 47th Street, but apparently failed to steal anything. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 34-year-old man, at 8:27 p.m. Thursday, March 15.

No sign of forced entry in garage burglary
Burglars entered a garage in the 3800 block of West 61st Street and stole six bar stools, a kitchen cabinet, two stainless-steel containers and a tool box with tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 57-year-old man, at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 14. The victim told police he saw no sign of forced entry.

advertisement

Wallet swiped from unlocked car in unlocked garage
Burglars entered an unlocked garage in the 4700 block of South Kenneth, entered an unlocked car inside and stole a wallet containing several credit cards. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 54-year-old man, at about 6 a.m. Monday, March 12.

Unlocked garage hit by burglars
Burglars entered an unlocked garage in the 5100 block of South Kolin and stole a car jack, vehicle rims and assorted tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 25-year-old man, at 11:25 a.m. Sunday, March 18.

# # #

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Tri-Builders Youth Triathlon Team Sets Open House at Wentworth Park

Our friends at the Tri-Builders athletic organization have

asked us to share the news of their upcoming open house/tryouts for their youth triathlon team, set for Saturday, March 24 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Wentworth Park. They are looking for youths 6-19 years of age for the tryouts.

Click the flyer below for more details, and please be sure at check out their website at tri-builders.org.

# # #

advertisement

Friday, March 16, 2018

St. Patrick's Day Parade Will Step Off This Saturday in Garfield Ridge

A city neighborhood not known for Irish identity will host an

Irish-themed parade for the fourth year in a row.

Sponsored by the Clear-Ridge Social Athletic Club, the parade is scheduled to step off at noon Saturday, March 17 at Byrne Elementary School, 54th and Oak Park, march south to Archer and then east to Wentworth Park.

Those marching or riding in the parade are asked to arrive at Byrne at 11 a.m.

"This is not a big parade, but it's a good parade focused on families, on what makes Garfield Ridge such a great place to live," said SAC member Al Cacciottolo, who announced the event at a recent meeting of the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce. "It's truly a parade for the people."

While Garfield Ridge has never been thought of as an Irish bastion like the Mount Greenwood neighborhood, it has its sons and daughters of Erin.

The parade is small but spirited. It should take only about 10 minutes to pass by any given point on the parade route.

The weather forecast for Saturday calls for unseasonably cool temperatures--about 39 degrees, cloudy and dry when the parade steps off at noon. So please dress warm! If you see a Southwest Chicago Post photographer or videographer along the route, please smile and wave!

advertisement

# # #

CPD Alert: Man Tried to Abduct Girl

Police are appealing to the press and public for help in apprehending a man wanted for attempted child abduction in the West Lawn neighborhood.

According to an alert issued by CPD on Friday, March 16, a man driving an older model silver/grey minivan attempted to lure a 16-year-old girl. The offender approached from behind and said "Ven aqui" ("Come here"). When the girl ignored him, the man got out of his vehicle and grabbed her by the arm. Fearing for her safety, the victim pulled away and fled.

The crime occurred at about 3:30 p.m. Thursday, March 15 in the 6500 block of South Lawndale.

The offender was described as a heavyset Hispanic man with a dark complexion and black beard stubble. He wore a black T-Shirt and black work pants.

Those with useful information to share about the crime are asked to call CPD Area Central Detectives at (312) 747-8380 and refer to case number JB186962.

In the wake of the crime, police offered a few bits of advice:

• 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 or play alone. Identify safe havens along your child's route between school and home, such as businesses or trusted neighbors.
• Always teach your children to be aware of their surroundings.

advertisement

advertisement

# # #

Missing Boy May Be Near Midway

Update at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 17: CPD reports that Isaiah has been found safe and has been reunited with his family. Thanks to everyone who kept eyes and ears open for him!

Original post:
Police are appealing to the press and public for help in

Isaiah Rodriguez

finding a 14-year-old boy missing from the Hermosa neighborhood, who may be here on the Southwest Side.

Isaiah Rodriguez has been missing from his home in the 2000 block of North Keystone since about 5:45 p.m. Thursday, March 15.

His cellphone was tracked to 65th and Cicero and is now turned off.

Isaiah is 5-foot-1 and 135 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair and a medium complexion.

He was last seen wearing a green polo shirt, khaki pants and a black coat.

If you see him, please call 911 immediately. Others with useful information to share are asked to call CPD Area North Special Victims Unit at (312) 744-8266 and refer to case number JB187159.

advertisement

advertisement

# # #

Crime News Update

* * *

Woman pushed to ground, robbed
A 23-year-old Gage Park woman was pushed to the ground and robbed of her book bag as she walked down a sidewalk at 57th and Richmond at 11:37 p.m. Wednesday, March 7. The victim told police she was walking home from work when she was accosted by a thug holding a hammer. When she started to run away, the attacker tackled her and took the book bag after a struggle. He then ran away west. The criminal was described as a Hispanic man age 25-35, about 5-foot-5 and 200 pounds with a fair complexion. He wore a beige jacket. The book bag contained the victim’s credit and debit cards, ID, keys and other items.

* * *

Robbed by bat-wielding gangbanger
A 28-year-old Chicago Lawn man and a 25-year-old Brighton Park woman were assaulted by a bat-wielding gangbanger as they walked down a sidewalk in front of 2816 W. 60th St. at 11:25 p.m. Monday, March 5. The victims told police they were walking to a CTA bus stop when the thug asked, “What you is, dog?” When the victims replied that they are not members of any gang, the assailant identified himself as a gang member. He went through the man’s pocket and stole his wallet, and then touched the woman’s breast and went through her pockets. He then told the victims to turn around and walk away, which they did. The criminal then fled down an alley near 59th and Mozart. He was described as a Hispanic man age 18-25, about 5-foot-6 and 165 pounds, with short black hair and a light complexion. He had pierced ears and wore a white T-shirt and blue jeans.

advertisement

Boys rob Sears employee
A Sears employee making a service call to a home in the 4100 block of West 50th Street was robbed at gunpoint by two boys at 1:35 p.m. Tuesday, March 6. The victim told police that one of the robbers pulled a handgun and ordered him to hand over his work and personal cellphones, which he did. The robbers were described only as black boys age 9-13.

Hit in the face with a beer bottle
A 44-year-old West Lawn man told police that he was knocked unconscious during a fight outside a bar near 59th and Troy at about 1:20 a.m. Saturday, March 10. The victim could not recall how he made it home, but he had been taken to Holy Cross Hospital because he had been hit in the face with a beer bottle. The offender, another bar patron, was described as a Hispanic man about 5-foot-7, with black hair.

Kicked out of car, then robbed
A 32-year-old Back of the Yards woman told police she was robbed of $200 cash on a sidewalk in front of 3500 W. 79th St. at 3:20 a.m. Wednesday, March 7. The victim, said by police to appear intoxicated, claimed that she was getting a ride home from a Bedford Park strip club when she was kicked out of the vehicle during an argument. Once outside the vehicle, she said that a man hit her on the back of the head and took her cash. She described the attacker only as a white man age 27-30. Police said they saw no sign of injury on the woman’s head. She refused medical attention and was given a ride home by police.

advertisement

Pair steals cash from elderly woman
A 94-year-old woman reported that a man and a woman stole belongings from her home while pretending to be home repair contractors. The victim said she was standing outside her home in the 3500 block of West 76th Street at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 8 when a man walked up and said he needed to repair her roof before it leaks. When the victim walked inside her home, the man followed—uninvited—and said he would need $400 cash. He also let in an accomplice—a woman—who engaged the victim in conversation while the man stole $450 cash, her state ID and other items. The thieves then fled. Descriptions of the two were vague.

advertisement

No sign of forced entry at burglary site
Burglars entered a garage in the 3600 block of West 62nd Street and stole three drills, a jack, an air compressor, copper wiring, assorted tools and assorted vehicle parts. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 57-year-old man, at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday, March 7. Police said there was no sign of forced entry.

advertisement

Kelly HS ring swiped in home heist
Burglars forced open the rear window of a home in the 5400 block of South Kildare and stole two laptop computers, three iPads, two video game consoles, a DVD player, a set of speakers, a watch, a Kelly High School graduation ring, two wedding rings and other jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 36-year-old woman, at 4:55 p.m. Thursday, March 8.

advertisement

Cubs jacket taken from unlocked home
Burglars entered an unlocked home in the 5100 block of South Homan and stole a Chicago Cubs jacket. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 35-year-old woman, when she came home at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, March 7 and saw two men running out her back door. They were described as Hispanic men age 35-40, wearing black jackets and blue jeans.

advertisement

Cash, jewelry, electronics taken from apartment
Burglars entered an apartment in the 3400 block of West 65th Place and stole a reported $4,000 cash, three video game consoles and a jewelry box with assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 39-year-old man, at about 1 p.m. Friday, March 9.

advertisement

Basement door is burglars’ point of entry
Burglars forced open the basement door of a home in the 6600 block of South Kostner and stole two TVs, a video game console, two wedding rings and other jewelry, a pair of designer sunglasses, a laptop computer and a tablet computer. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 46-year-old man, at about 2 p.m. Friday, March 9.

# # #

About Us

The Southwest Chicago Post is an independent news service delivering news and opinion to the people of Chicago's Southwest Side.

We promote prosperity, progress and peace in the neighborhoods we serve.

We intend to champion homeowners, locally owned and operated small businesses and professional practices, schools, libraries, parks, houses of worship and more.

We also strongly support efforts to prevent crime and make our neighborhoods safer.

We cheerfully assist and promote members of our business and professional community, particularly those that are independent, locally owned and which hire local residents.

This online news service is owned and operated by lifelong Southwest Siders Joan Hadac (Editor and Publisher) and Tim Hadac (Managing Editor), both of whom have worked as local newspaper reporters and editors for over 25 years each.

Do you have a news tip, big or small? A letter to the editor? Want us to come out and cover your event? Let us know: editor@swchicagopost.com.