Sunday, December 3, 2023

Warning: Armed Criminals Rob Customers of Street Vendors

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

Police have issued a warning about a crew of armed robbers committing crimes on the street near mobile food vendors.

In each crime, four men approached a victim that was near or at a street vendor. The bandits displayed rifles and black handguns and demanded the victim's property. The criminals took the victim's property and fled the scene in a Black Infiniti Q50.

The crimes all occurred on Saturday, Dec. 2. Crime scenes (and approximate times) include:

• 3000 block of West 47th Street at 11:10 p.m.
• 2900 block of West 47th Street at 11:15 p.m.
• 4500 block of South Pulaski at 11:15 p.m.
• 4700 block of South Whipple at 11:30 p.m.

The robbers were described as four black men wearing gray jeans, black hoodies, white gym shoes, multi-color gym shoes, red gloves and black face masks.

Those with useful information to share about any or all of the crimes are encouraged to call CPD Area 1 detectives at (312) 747-8380 and refer to crime pattern 23-CWP-063.

In the wake of the crimes, police advise:

• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Report suspicious activity immediately.
• If you are confronted by an assailant remain calm.
• Remember any unique physical characteristics (such as scars, limp, acne, teeth).
• Never pursue a fleeing assailant; instead, provide the information to the police.
• If approached by a witness to the incident, request contact information.
• Dial 9-1-1 immediately and remain on
 scene when possible.




Thursday, November 16, 2023

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 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.


* * *


Triple slaying in Scottsdale/Ashburn
Three men were shot and killed in a crime that occurred in the Scottsdale/Ashburn neighborhood at about 4:25 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10. Conflicting reports characterized the crime. Police initially said the shooting occurred in the 4400 block of West 81st Street but later changed it to the 8300 block of South Pulaski. What is not disputed is that three men—ages 38, 28 and unknown, were shot and killed by a gunman still at large. The three victims were pronounced dead at Advocate Christ Medical Center. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified them as Fernando Najera Patino, 28, of suburban Countryside; Carlos Lopez Orozco, 38, of the 3500 block of South Mozart; and Juan Antonio Marrufo, 34, address unknown. Those with useful information to share about the crime are asked to call CPD Area 1 detectives at (312) 747-8380.



Charge Burbank man with Scottsdale CVS robbery
Thigpen


A 36-year-old man from suburban Burbank has been charged in connection with the armed robbery of the CVS near 87th and Cicero at about 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. 

Norbert Thigpen, of the 8400 block of South Mulligan, was charged with armed robbery as well as discharge of a firearm, after he was arrested at about 7:25 p.m. Saturday on southbound Interstate 94, near Gurnee. After police curbed his vehicle after a long pursuit up the interstate, they added a charge of aggravated fleeing.

Thigpen allegedly robbed the CVS at gunpoint and fired a shot into the ceiling before fleeing with an undisclosed amount of cash. Thigpen is in the custody of the Cook County Department of Corrections. His next court date is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 17.




Claim driver had gun in vehicle
Shumate



A 19-year-old Near West Side man was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 5018 S. Pulaski at 9:58 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20.


Mario J. Shumate, of the 1100 block of West Washburne, was reportedly in possession of a handgun in a bag in his vehicle.



Say woman drove on revoked license
Pearson



A 31-year-old Archer Heights woman was charged with driving on a revoked license after she was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 4959 S. Archer at 9:32 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16.

Alexis P. Pearson, of the 4700 block of South Springfield, also was wanted on a warrant, but a CPD spokesman declined to say what jurisdiction issued the warrant or what Pearson was allegedly wanted for.




Traffic stop leads to drug charge
Martinez Brito


A 24-year-old Clearing man was charged with possession of a controlled substance after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 5901 W. 63rd Street at 11:48 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23.

Carlos A. Martinez Brito, of the 6100 block of West 64th Place, allegedly drove a GMC Yukon north on a one-way (southbound) street, a CPD spokesman said. A check of him and his vehicle reportedly yielded a small amount of cocaine, police added.

According to public records, Martinez Brito was arrested by CPD in February 2020 at 44th and Ashland and charged with driving on a suspended license, as well as possession of a fake driver’s license.


Traffic stop leads to gun charge
Martinez

 

A 37-year-old West Elsdon man was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 3221 W. 51st St. at 4:25 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15.


Eduardo A. Martinez, of the 3900 block of West 56th Place, reportedly was found to carrying a handgun, a CPD spokesman said.




West Elsdon foot chase leads to gun charge
Barrera-Enriquez



A 20-year-old Gage Park man was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after he was arrested at 55th and Hamlin at 2:16 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16. 

Angel Barrera-Enriquez, of the 5700 block of South Christiana, was encountered by officers responding to a ShotSpotter alert near 54th and Lawndale, a CPD spokesman said.

He allegedly was in a vehicle nearby but bolted, running through a parking lot at 55th and Lawndale before being apprehended a block west. Police said he was carrying a firearm.


Charge woman with retail theft, again
Norwood


A 33-year-old Douglas woman was charged with retail theft after she was arrested at a store in Ford City at 6:40 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16.

Tyiquite Norwood, of the 3700 block of South Indiana, allegedly was spotted stealing merchandise by loading it into a suitcase (also allegedly stolen) and walking outside the store. A CPD spokesman declined to name the store, but a source at Ford City said the store was JC Penney.

According to public records, Norwood has been arrested six times by CPD this year, five times on retail theft charges.



               
Traffic stop leads to weapons charges
Valdez-Ortuno

 

A 20-year-old Back of the Yards man was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and illegal possession of a laser sight after he was arrested in the front yard of a home in the 4900 block of South Komensky at 8:37 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11.

Eduardo Valdez-Ortuno, of the 5100 block of South Laflin, was apprehended by officers who said they saw him riding a motorcycle with no license plates.

He also was cited for driving without a license and using an alley as a thru-street.


Say man had gun in vehicle
Hampton



A 51-year-old Austin man was charged with unlawful use of a weapon after he was arrested during a traffic stop at 4801 S. Kilbourn at 10:10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. 


Bobby Hampton, of the 5500 block of West Hirsch, allegedly was in possession of a firearm located on the driver’s side floor of his vehicle.





Bust Brookfield man on warrant charge
Medina



A 49-year-old man from suburban Brookfield was charged with driving on a suspended license and driving a vehicle with expired registration after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 5905 W. 55th St. at 3:53 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20. 

Efrain Medina, of the 3400 block of Maple, was apprehended without incident.

A computer check revealed he was wanted on a warrant out of McHenry County, a CPD spokesman said, declining to say exactly what Medina was wanted for.


Man busted on cocaine rap at MDW
Jones

 

A 29-year-old Woodlawn man was charged with possession of a controlled substance after he was arrested at Midway International Airport at 7:03 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19. 


Roshaun O. Jones, of the 6500 block of South University, allegedly was carrying cocaine concealed in tape wrapped around his ankles, a CPD spokesman said.






Thursday, September 28, 2023

Ready to Run With the Nuns?

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

Lemont is not close to the six city neighborhoods served by the Southwest Chicago Post. But knowing that a lot of Southwest Side girls attended Mount Assisi Academy years ago, I'm sharing this information sent by the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King.

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The School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King are hosting their Annual Run with the Nuns 5K on Sunday, October 15 at 9:00 AM at their Mount Assisi Campus in Lemont.

Runners and walkers are welcome to enjoy the picturesque scenery through the natural hills and wooded areas of our all terrain course.

Participants receive a medal and long sleeve dry fit shirt. We even have a virtual race option for those who can’t be there on Race Day.

Cost is $40 for adults, $20 for children 12 and under who walk or run with a parent.

We are looking for runners or walkers, sponsors, donors to the swag bags, volunteers and businesses to host their free vendor table.

This fun event includes a DJ, split the pot, spirit wear sales, vendor tables and...running nuns!

Proceeds support the many ministries of the School Sisters of St. Francis of Christ the King, both on and off the Mt. Assisi hill.
Run on your own or walk the course with the Sisters. Bring the whole family!

Visit our website at runwiththenuns.org or contact Carrie Peters at 630-257-7844 ext. 223 or carriepeters2@sbcglobal.net for more details.