Saturday, January 26, 2019

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.


* * *


Woman says man punched, raped her
Clint Woods



A 48-year-old Clearing man was charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault after he allegedly punched a woman and forced her to have sex with him in his apartment in the 5700 block of West 64th Street at about 7:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 21.

Clint Kelly Woods was arrested in the 4600 block of West 63rd Street at 9:15 the same morning.

Police said the incident occurred after Woods had a verbal altercation with the victim. Bond was denied, and Woods is set to appear in court on Monday, Feb. 11.



* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in and/or own a business in Beats 815 or 821 (see map) make plans to attend your next CAPS meeting, set for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 6 at St. Bruno School (south end, St. Joseph Room), 4839 S. Harding. 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.



* * *

Arrest Scottsdale man on drug, domestic violence charges
Angel Cisneros



A 22-year-old Scottsdale man was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery and felony possession of a controlled substance after police arrested him at his home in the 8000 block of South Komensky at 3:40 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 20.

Angel Cisneros was apprehended by officers responding to a call of a domestic disturbance. He allegedly struck a 20-year-old woman in the face, “causing bruising to her eye,” a CPD spokesman said. “A search also revealed Cisneros to be in possession of a controlled substance.”

According to public records, Cisneros has been arrested nine times by CPD since 2014, on charges that included possession of a controlled substance and possession of cannabis.





Bust man who allegedly attacked others
Juan Cortez



A 22-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct after he allegedly was caught attacking people on the street at 56th and Narragansett, at 1:45 a.m. Friday, Jan. 11.

Juan Cortez, of the 5300 block of South Long, was apprehended after “he was observed by several citizens obstructing the flow of traffic and throwing bottles at passing vehicles and a passerby,” according to police.







Convicted felon found with stolen rifle, cops say
Fares Abdelqader


A 21-year-old Alsip man was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon and aggravated assault after a traffic stop at 4300 S. Trumbull at 6:34 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18.

Fares Abdelqader, of the 3800 block of West 116th Street, was taken into custody after police responding to a “man with a gun” call to 911 reportedly curbed a vehicle a vehicle he was in and found a rifle, a CPD spokesman said.

According to public records, Abdelqader has been arrested eight times by CPD since 2016, on charges that included possession of a controlled substance, obstruction of identification and violating parole by having contact with a street gang member (four times).






Say man tried to use another person’s credit card
Travis Phelan


A 28-year-old West Side man was charged with identity theft after he allegedly tried to use another person’s credit card to purchase merchandise at Carquest Auto Parts, 5815 W. 63rd St.

Travis J. Phelan, of the 4800 block of West North Avenue, was arrested after a store clerk became aware that the card did not belong to Phelan, a CPD spokesman said.

According to public records, Phelan was arrested by CPD in 2017 near Roosevelt and Avers and charged with violating parole by having contact with a street gang member.



garfieldridgenw.com



Man busted on weapons charge
A 38-year-old West Lawn man was charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon after he was arrested during a traffic stop in the 6000 block of West 63rd Street at 10:40 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19. Joseph Palczynski, of the 3800 block of West 64th Street, was apprehended after police reportedly saw a gun in his vehicle, in plain sight. They had stopped his vehicle because it was observed driving back and forth in an alley at the scene, a CPD spokesman said.





Bust suburban man on meth rap
Daniel Serrano



A 27-year-old Justice man was charged with possession of methamphetamine after a traffic stop in front of 6650 W. 59th St. at 10:47 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19.

Daniel A. Serrano, of the 7400 block of South Banks, was apprehended after police reportedly found an undisclosed quantity of the drug in his backpack, a police spokesman said.






















# # #

Friday, January 25, 2019

Healthy Substance makes vegan food fun for the girls of Brownie Troop 20444

By Joan Hadac
Editor and Publisher
Southwest Chicago Post

It's always good to hear positive feedback about a new business here on the Southwest Side. That's exactly what we received recently from our friend, Delia Canino, a leader of Brownie Troop 20444, sponsored by St. Daniel the Prophet School.

Delia reports that earlier this month, Healthy Substance, the
new vegan restaurant at 6852 W. Archer, hosted Troop 20444 to help them earn their Healthy Snacks badge.

Everyone at Healthy Substance "went over and beyond anything we could of possibly expected," Delia tells us. "Patti Gonzalez, the owner and chef, along with her pastry chef, Mark, and her son, Luis, engaged the girls for our two-hour visit.

"They educated the girls on what it is to be a vegan and/or a vegetarian," Delia continues. "The girls also learned how to make several snacks such as guacamole, banana pudding, an energy snack, garbanzo snickerdoodles, brownies, pepperoni and smoothies. All the girls got a taste -- most had never had any of the items made. Everything was delicious! We are so pleased that they were open to having all the girls come in and educate them on healthy eating. I'm exceptionally proud of all the girls, too, for taste testing all the items offered to them -- they were all pleasantly surprised by how good it all tasted."

Thanks to the troop for taking and sharing a few photos of the fun!

In the photos are Brownies Sophia Alcala, Brianna Almanza, Jocelyn Calderon, Julia Canino, Alexandra Casale, Sofia Cosentino, Madelyn Coughlin, Bridget Curry, Abigail D'Albenzio, Sylvia Fonseca, Sophia Garcia, Celia Gorz, Sydney Hayes, Avery Hervieux, Gianna Lucio, Michaela Orseske, Allison Piegari, McKayla Rogers, Emma Sides, Peyton Smolarczyk, Savana Street, Alani Torrez, Leila Zarco and Lexi Howard.

Troop leaders are Delia Canino and Elisabeth Fonseca.





# # #


Police issue warning after men tried to abduct, molest girl on 71st Street

At 12:27 a.m. Friday, January 25, police shared a community
alert warning everyone about two men who reportedly tried to kidnap and sexually assault a 14-year-old girl in front of Tarkington School, in the 3300 block of West 71st Street, at 7:16 p.m. Thursday, January 24.

Police said that "two offenders exited a four-door black sedan and approached the victim. One of the offenders attempted to pull the victim into the vehicle and unbuckle her pants. The victim managed to get away and fled. The offenders also fled in an unknown direction."

The offenders were described only as Hispanic men--one about age 20-25, 5-foot-8 and 160 pounds.

Those with useful information to share about the crime are asked to call Area Central Detectives at (312) 747-8380 and refer to case number JC128623.

In the wake of the crime, police offered this 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 to school and home, such as businesses or trusted neighbors.

• Always be aware of your surroundings.


Thursday, January 24, 2019

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.


* * *

Police investigate cause of fatal crash
A 42-year-old man from Burbank was killed when a vehicle he was driving hit a tree in the 6800 block of West 63rd Street at 11:58 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11. Wayne Douglas Pavlow was taken by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead of multiple injuries about 90 minutes after arrival. Police are investigating to determine the cause of the crash. His death was ruled accidental by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.



* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in and/or own a business in Beats 822 or 824 (see map) make plans to attend your next CAPS meeting, set for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 5 at Hernández Middle School, 3510 West 55th Street. 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.



* * *

Reputed gang member shot in the leg
A 38-year-old North Side man said by police to be a documented gang member was shot in the right leg as he walked down a sidewalk in the 4500 block of South Lavergne at about 8:20 p.m. Monday, Jan. 14. The victim told police that the shooter fired from a dark-colored Ford vehicle. He said that after he was shot, he limped to a nearby house, pounded on the door and hollered for them to call 911. They did, and the victim was transported by CFD ambulance to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he was treated for his injury.





Woman pushed to ground, robbed
A 48-year-old Chicago Lawn woman was robbed as she walked near her home in the 3400 block of West 60th Street at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16. The victim told police that a man approached, pushed her to the ground and snatched away her purse. He then jumped into a red minivan driven by a woman. It sped away west on 60th Street. The victim later found her purse, but told police that it was missing her debit card and $70 cash. The robber was described as a black man age 20-25, about 5-foot-6 and 140 pounds.





Gas station attendant punched in head, robbed
An attendant at the Citgo station at 7700 S. Kedzie was robbed at gunpoint at about 3:10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 16. The victim, a 32-year-old Chicago Ridge man, told police that the bandit waved a handgun and ordered him to surrender the station’s valuables. The victim said he handed over $1,400 cash and 11 cartons of Newport cigarettes (worth about $1,300). The robber then punched the attendant in the head twice before running away west on 77th Street. He was described as a black man about 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, with a medium complexion. He wore black clothing.




Bust 11 at memorial for slain gang member
Eleven people were arrested and charged with battery to a police officer, obstruction of a peace officer and/or weapons violations during a disturbance inside and outside Watra nightclub, 4758 S. Pulaski at about 6:50 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17. Police said that the club was the scene of a memorial gathering to honor a gang member who was slain near 63rd and Damen earlier in the month. Aware that such gatherings are often the scene of retaliatory strikes by rival gangs, police were watching the scene. When they saw a man outside Watra, patting his waistband and acting suspiciously, they moved in to prevent any shootings. When they did, the people inside Watra began to swear at them and throw punches. Multiple police units then arrived at the scene in response to a 10-1 call (officers in danger). Police arrested Tyriana C. Owens, 25, of Milwaukee; Sharlize A. Joseph, 18, of the 10200 block of South La Salle; Chakita D. Trotter, 29, of Calumet City; Tyrone R. Phelps, 27, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Jasmine Joseph, 22, of the 6600 block of South Marshfield; Rajah Gardner, 33, of the 10700 block of South Church; Charles C. Joseph, 19, of the 10200 block of South La Salle; and Walter L. LeFlora, 32; Jarquisha L. Hayes, 23, and Deion A. Green, 21, all address unknown. Several officers suffered minor injuries after they were reportedly punched in the face and back of the head by several people at the scene. Police said they recovered a number of handguns inside the bar, as well as a handgun magazine with 21 live rounds inside.






Delivery driver robbed of cellphone, food
A 50-year-old Chinatown man was robbed as he attempted to deliver food to a home in the 4400 block of South Lavergne at 9:40 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17. The victim is a driver for 1st Chop Suey, 5845 S. Archer. He told police that as he exited his vehicle, a man approached and demanded his belongings or he would kill him. The driver handed over his cellphone and an order of Chinese food. The robber than ran away west. He was described as a black man about 6-foot-2 and 165 pounds, with a medium complexion. He wore a black shirt and a black skull cap.



garfieldridgenw.com


Charge man with aggravated assault

A 53-year-old Gage Park man was charged with aggravated assault after he allegedly
Edward Ragazinskas
refused to leave Su Nueva Lavandería, 3319 W. 55th St., and then threatened a police officer called to the scene.


Edward A. Ragazinskas, of the 5100 block of South Fairfield, was arrested at 12:40 a.m. Monday, Jan. 14 at the coin laundry.

According to public records, Ragazinskas has been arrested 13 times by CPD since 2014, on charges that include theft, criminal trespass to land and violating an order of protection (six times).










Charge man with drug crimes after home search
Theodore Hantgos



A 48-year-old man was charged with multiple drug-related crimes after police—acting on a warrant--searched his home in the 5300 block of South Kilbourn at 9:21 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8.

Theodore P. Hantgos was taken into custody and charged with one felony count-manufacture/deliver heroin, one felony count of possess heroin and three felony counts of possession of a controlled substance.








Cash, lottery tix taken by store burglars
Burglars broke through the roof of Parkview Food & Liquors, 3647 W. 83rd Place, and stole $2,000 worth of lottery tickets and about $200 cash. The crime was discovered by the manager, a 46-year-old man, when the burglar alarm was tripped just after 4:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12. Surveillance footage showed the burglars to be two black men age 21-25, about 5-foot-10 and 145 pounds.





No sign of forced entry in garage burglary
Burglars entered a garage in the 4600 block of South Avers and stole two grills, a jack, a snow blower and a lawn mower. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 50-year-old woman, at 3:35 p.m. Jan. 15. There was no sign of forced entry, police said.

Man claims big cash loss in home heist
A 27-year-old Clearing man told police that someone entered his home in the 5400 block of West 63rd Place and stole a fire safe containing $6,000 cash, a passport, a property deed and other items. He reported the crime at 8:47 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15.





Stole my Yule decorations, elderly woman says
An 82-year-old West Lawn woman reported that her Christmas decorations and possibly other belongings were stolen from the basement of her home in the 6300 block of South Kenneth. She reported the crime at 12:35 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 and told police that she believed the burglar to be a neighborhood man she had hired to help her set up Christmas decorations inside her home. She discovered the items missing when she walked down into her basement and found the exit door unlocked and the storm door ajar.

Charge man with urinating in alley
A 44-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with urinating on the public way after he allegedly was spotted peeing in an alley behind 5956 S. Archer at about 6:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11. Bogdan Jozef Pudzisz, of the 5200 block of South Melvina, was apprehended at the scene.










# # #