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.

* * *

An armed thug stole nearly $200 cash in an early morning robber of the Subway sandwich shop at 4735 South Cicero on Friday, July 6.

At 2:20 a.m., the robber walked in, flashed a handgun and took cash from the 42-year-old cashier and another man in the shop. He fled on foot, north on Cicero.

The victims described the offender as a black man, 5'6 to 5'8 and 220-240 pounds, wearing a dark-colored cap, a black-t-shirt and black pants. His face was obscured by a black t-shirt.

* * *

An armed criminal stole about $340 cash in a late afternoon robbery of the Cricket cell phone store at 8620 South Pulaski on Friday, July 6.

At 3:50 p.m., the robber walked in. Pretending to be a prospective customer, he asked "What up with the free cell phones?"

Cricket Store at 8620 South Pulaski

When a sales clerk approached him to describe Cricket products and services, the man flashed a handgun and demanded that the two sales clerks in the store lie down on the floor behind the front counter. They did, and the thug stole their cell phones and $240 from them, as well as $100 from the cash register.

He then forced them to go into a bathroom and close the door behind them while he made his escape. When they opened the door minutes later, the robber was gone.

The victims described him as a black man, 5'7 to 5'9, 270-300 pounds, 35-43 years old, brown eyes, short brown hair, dark complexion, wearing a blue visor cap, plaid shirt and blue shorts.

A police evidence technician was called to check for fingerprints, and police reported that they planned to view footage from a parking lot security camera.

* * *

A West Lawn family that had gone out of town for three days returned on Saturday, July 7 to find their home near 68th and Keeler burglarized.

The criminals entered via a side door and stole a TV, a radio, an iPhone, and assorted jewelry.

* * *

A 20-year-old Clearing woman was robbed of her iPhone by a thug on a CTA Orange Line train at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, July 7.

The woman was on a southbound train, approaching the Pulaski station, when a man grabbed the phone, jumped off the train and fled on foot.

The offender was described as a black man, 18-20 years old, 5'8 to 5'10, 130-150 pounds, black hair, dark complexion, wearing tan pants, a dark blue t-shirt and a tan, floppy hat.

* * *

A 24-year-old West Elsdon woman told police that she was robbed of her car keys as she sat in her car near 62nd and Komensky at 11:21 p.m. Saturday, July 7.

She told police that a white Chevy Tahoe SUV pulled alongside her. One of the four occupants jumped out, knocked on her window and demanded that she hand over her keys and cell phone.

She claimed she handed over both, and then the strong arm robber (whom she described as nervous) tossed her cell phone back in the car before fleeing with his accomplices.

She said the four were white Hispanic men, ages 20-25.

* * *

Thieves stole about $500 worth of Precious Moments lawn ornaments and accent lights from a yard near 54th and Neenah.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 74-year-old man, at about 9:00 a.m. Friday, July 6.

* * *

A 29-year-old clerk at the Aloha Motel, 8515 South Cicero, was pummeled by four attackers at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, July 7.

According to the clerk, the four walked in, started an argument with him and beat him with their fists; stealing a cordless phone belonging to the motel before fleeing north on Cicero in a gray/blue Chevy Suburban.

He described the criminals as white Hispanic men, 20-25 years old.

* * *

Burglars broke into a garage near 61st and Kostner---and also broke into the 2012 Chevy Malibu marked inside---and stole a stereo system, a snow blower, a lawn mower, four auto tires and a wheelbarrow.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 34-year-old man, at 3:00 a.m. Saturday, July 7. To mask their crime, the burglars had used a cardboard box and old clothes to cover the garage's window and inside light.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 812 (see map above), come to the Clearing Branch Library at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 11. If you live in Beat 814, come to the Vittum Park Fieldhouse at 7:00 Thursday, July 12. 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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The Writing on the Wall Gets Erased

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post



Most Southwest Siders have noticed that in the past two weeks in our neighborhoods, this:

...has turned into this:

The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation clearly unleashed a massive graffiti removal operation on the Southwest Side---turning failure into triumph.

In my opinion, it was outstanding---the most thorough, community-wide graffiti removal I've seen in the city in years.

Congratulations to everyone at Streets and San---from Commissioner Thomas G. Byrne to the troops on the front lines.

But more than anyone, congratulations and thanks to Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

As Southwest Chicago Post readers may recall from the "The Writing's on the Wall" editorial I wrote on June 19,

http://www.swchicagopost.com/2012/06/writings-on-wall-mayor-emanuel.html

...I directed criticism for the graffiti clean-up failure squarely at Emanuel. So it's only fair that he gets the applause, squarely. Well done, Mr. Mayor.

The obvious question is, why did this massive graffiti removal occur when it did? Was it a response to Southwest Siders raising our voices in complaint and kicking City Hall in the arse, or was it a coincidence---a sign the Emanuel Administration's switch from a ward-based to a grid-based delivery of Streets and San services (including graffiti removal) is working the way Emanuel predicted it would?

Who knows? Who cares? Most Southwest Siders don't. For the most part, we're meat-and-potatoes pragmatists. Our motto tends to be: we don't care how you get the job done; just get it done.

That said, I hasten to add another thing all Southwest Siders know: the struggle against graffiti is ongoing. It is not a battle. It is a war. It absolutely requires a smart mix of both short- and long-term strategies.

And we're skeptics here in Garfield Ridge, Clearing, West Lawn, Archer Heights, West Elsdon, Scottsdale and other Southwest Side neighborhoods---especially when it comes to promises from government.

So for the rest of the summer and even into the fall, we'll be watching city government closely, to see if they get the job done. We'll see if they thwart graffiti by being every bit as quick, nimble and relentless as gangbangers and taggers are. Really, that's the best way to stop graffiti---to remove it so quickly and consistently that punks give up in frustration.

Which way will it go? Time will tell. And the Mayor and his staff know we're watching...

# # #

Letters to the Editor

Editor's note: We respect your opinion and are privileged to share it via this website. All letters to the editor will be reviewed before being posted. We do allow anonymous comments, yet we will not allow the Southwest Chicago Post to serve as a forum for bigotry of any kind. We also will not allow personal attacks against anyone, including elected officials and other public figures. On this site, all of us need to keep our tone respectful and our criticisms constructive. That's important as we work together to build better Southwest Side neighborhoods for all. So please join the conversation by sending your letter to editor@swchicagopost.com.

* * *

Dear Editor,

I liked your pictures and film of the Fourth of July parade on Archer. It is nice to see the children of our community with such big smiles of their faces, scrambling for candy and enjoying themselves at such a nice event. For me, it brings back memories of when my own children were little, back in the 1960s. Kids do love parades, don't they?

Eleanor Smientek
Garfield Ridge

* * *

Dear Editor,

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the video of the Midway Garden Society annual walk. Our part of Chicago is so misunderstood and under-appreciated by people downtown or on the North Side. They seem to think we're nothing but concrete slabs and "neatly manicured lawns," as the Tribune and Sun-Times so often write about us with a dismissive tone.

Your video showed that our part of the city is very often a diamond in the rough, with little backyard oases that are absolutely beautiful, if only people would take the time to get to know us.

Jen McGuire
West Lawn

Editor's reply: Thank you. We agree, and add that the eight gardens shown on the video are just the tip of the iceberg. Backyard beauty is everywhere on the Southwest Side---and if there are any gardeners out there willing to let us stop by with a camera, we'd be pleased to showcase your garden, too.

* * *

Editor,

Please do not do as some of the other neighborhood newspapers have done and print (Chicago Police Superintendent) Garry McCarthy's article on the 43 new recruits that have just started at the Police Academy.

I have been reading local newspapers for many years, and it makes me sick to see them open their mouths and swallow anything that politicians feed them. Worse, they turn around and print it as fact for the readers.

If you do write anything about the 43, please present the other side of the story, like the thousands of officers short Chicago is---or how many CPD will retire this year. I'll bet it ain't 43!

William "Bill" Barczak

Clearing

Editor's reply: Thanks again for your concern, Mr. Barczak. We have not seen the press release you mentioned. In fact, we typically do not receive any press releases from the Chicago Police Department or any other department of city government. But had we seen it, we certainly would not run it (or any press release) as is. We're a news service, not a bulletin board at Jewel. We welcome press releases, but do not reprint them robotically. We think the people of the Southwest Side deserve better, which is why we deliver original news content.

* * *

Editor,

Well, your response to my letter was racist---just like your online news service is racist.

I said I would report you to the Chicago Commission on Human Relations. I have. You will be hearing from them.

If you continue to show all these mug shots of African Americans and other people of color arrested by the police, I will take additional steps, including targeting your subscribers and advertisers. If you won't listen, we'll hit you in the cash register.

Anonymous

Editor's reply: Thank you for sharing your opinion again, as you did several months ago. And thanks for reporting us to the commission. If they contact us, we'll tell them the same thing we've already told you. (SWCP readers, please scroll down to see the previous letter relating to this complaint.)

As far as targeting our subscribers and advertisers, please give it your best effort. But you may find it a bit difficult because we don't sell subscriptions, and we carry no paid advertising. In other words: cash register? What cash register?

Previously Published Letters

Dear Editor,

I liked your video of the Clear Ridge Baseball opening day parade. It's so nice to see the boys and girls of our area having fun. I hope you plan to cover some of the games, and maybe have some footage of our local summer carnivals. There is so much to like about Garfield Ridge and Clearing.

Therese Manzullo
Clearing

Editor's Note: Thank you. We agree. We plan to shoot and post more footage of our local kids.

* * *

Dear Editor,

Thanks for your kind words about Kevin Hickey. He was a good boy. I knew him when he was a youngster back in the old neighborhood. It is sad he died before his time.

Eileen Ryan
Vittum Park

* * *

Editor,

Your online news service is racist. It's obvious. You show all these mug shots of people arrested by the police. Why do you show pictures? Because the people are not white, and you obviously want to wave their photographs in front of your white readers. Other community newspapers don't do that. Why do you? As an African American woman, I get your message loud and clear. I am going to report you to the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.

Anonymous

Editor's Note: Thank you for sharing your opinion. Please report us to the commission. We'll tell them the same thing we'll tell you. We include mug shots---completely regardless of the race/ethnicity/residence/etc of the person arrested---as quickly and frequently as we can get them from CPD News Affairs; and they, in turn, have clear protocols on when they do and don't release mug shots. For example, they don't release mug shots of juveniles, or adults charged with misdemeanors.

Why do we include mug shots in our crime news? Two reasons, basically. First, it simply helps tell the story better when you put a human face on it. We believe that reporting crime news is not some dry academic exercise. Crime is a very real, flesh-and-blood thing---with real victims and perpetrators, real damage to property and/or lives, and so forth. So yeah, we'll run photos, just as we include the salty language we sometimes find in the narratives of CPD incident reports. We want to give you the news as accurately as we can---so you can get the best possible idea of what went on.

Second, we run as many mug shots as we can as a way to assist police---if only because there's always a chance that you see Joe Blow's mug shot in a story about a burglary (for example) and you might think "Hey---that looks like the guy I saw last week doing such and such." And who knows? Could lead to an otherwise unsolved crime getting solved. That's the same reason we share police notations about unusual clothing, tattoos and scars. It might set off a light bulb in the head of someone reading it.

Finally, as for the way that other neighborhood newspapers do or don't report crime, that's their concern. Why do they not run mug shots, when mug shots are readily available? Why do other papers refuse to run crime news, except on rare occasions when CPD actually writes the story and emails it to them? Ask them. We certainly don't measure ourselves by their yardsticks. We report the news the way we believe it should be reported---and judging from the strong and positive response we have received in just nine short weeks of operation, we're confident we're on the right track.

* * *

Editor,

I am glad to see that you are following through on your promise not to be the parrot of the local politicians.

What I see in the other newspapers sickens me. For example, I liked your video of the street dedication to honor the late Commander Kupczyk. But then I read two other local newspapers that printed an article about the dedication---except that they were the exact same articles. I wondered, how can two competing newspapers have exactly the same article? Are they in kahoots with each other?

So I called both papers and asked. One was rude and hung up on me, but the other admitted that the article was not written by them, but "by the alderman." So I asked, why did your newspaper ask an alderman to write a story about a street dedication? The editor replied, we didn't. The story was something that his office sent us. So I asked, why didn't you write a story yourselves? The editor said, we didn't have a reporter available that day.

So then I asked why didn't you put the alderman's name at the top of the story? The editor said, that would be silly.

So I said look, if you print an article and it doesn't have anyone's name on it, can't we assume that one of your reporters wrote it, and that it's not something spoon fed to you by a politician or an advertiser?

There was a long pause and then the editor admitted, "No, you can't."

Game over.

Keep up the good work, Southwest Chicago Post. Stay straight and honest, just as you have been.

William "Bill" Barczak

Clearing

* * *

Dear Editor,

Congratulations on your new venture. I wish you success. Thank you for putting together the recent article on the possible long-term effects of sports-related injuries to children. This is something that doesn't get a lot of attention, but should. Too many children---right here in the neighborhood and elsewhere---suffer injuries that go undiagnosed and therefore may not heal properly and which may lead to health problems in the future. As your article pointed out, these problems can often be prevented with prompt diagnosis and a smart regimen of chiropractic care.

Dr. Joseph Coler, DC
Coler Chiropractic

* * *

Dear Editor,

I want to know what's going on with all the tearing up of the streets around here. Sometimes I think it's just so these politically-connected construction companies can make millions of dollars---at our expense.

Anonymous

* * *

Editor,

I see your new publication. I like what I see so far. It looks like you will be different from other neighborhood newspapers in this city that serve as little more than mouthpieces for local politicians. Papers that load up their front pages with pictures of politicians smiling for the camera and glad-handing anyone who will stand still for a photograph. Papers that fill their pages with politicians' press releases and worse, opinion columns written by the politicians in which they brag about how great they are---all in space that could have and should have been used for the people of the neighborhood. It's sad that some newspapers sell their souls to politicians in exchange for the lucrative advertising that appears in their "public notice" classified ad section. They have no credibility.

I hope your paper is different. Keep up the good work and please continue reporting the crime news. It's good to know what's going on.

William "Bill" Barczak

Clearing

(Editor's Note: Thank you, Mr. Barczak. If you like what you see thus far from the Southwest Chicago Post, you'll probably enjoy what's ahead in the weeks and months to come; because it will be more of the same straightfoward, no-frills, honest and accurate news reporting on relevant topics---namely, making the Southwest Side a better place to live for us all---celebrating our community's successes and working to fix what needs fixing. And thanks for your concern about our soul. Rest assured it is safe and strong. While we are appropriately respectful of our local elected officials and the offices they hold, we have no plans to be anyone's parrot. Not us, not ever. Thanks for writing, and please write again soon. Your opinion---and everyone else's---counts.)

# # #

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.

* * *

A 37-year-old Oak Lawn woman told police she was robbed of her Apple iPhone 4s as she rode on the CTA Orange Line at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30.

Apple iPhone 4s

She said he was seated on the train when a man walked up, grabbed her right arm, snatched her phone and ran off the train at the Kedzie station, fleeing in an unknown direction.

She described the robber as a black man, 25-35 years old, 175 pounds, medium complexion.

* * *

A 53-year-old Brighton Park man was robbed at gunpoint as he mowed the lawn of a home near 72nd and Hamlin at 12:55 p.m. Tuesday, July 3.

The robber walk up, pointed a two-tone handgun at the head of the victim, and said "Don't move. What do you have in your pockets? Give me your money."

The thug then went through the victim's pockets, taking his wallet---which contained his driver's license, several credit cards, a CTA bus pass and $75 cash.

Moments later, when the victim began to move away from the assailant, the robber hollered "Don't move!" and hit him in the side of the head with pistol, causing it to discharge into the air. The thug then fled on foot. The victim's injury was minor, and he declined emergency medical care.

The criminal was described as a black man, 22-27 years old, 6'0 and 170 pounds, brown eyes, dark complexion, black dreadlocks, wearing a white t-shirt.

* * *

Burglars broke in the rear door of a home near 54th and Keeler and stole two laptop computers, three bottles of tequila, and assorted jewelry.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 60-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 2:25 p.m. Monday, July 2.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 53rd and Keating and stole two bicycles, a lawn mower and a gas grill.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 44-year-old man, at 11:00 p.m. Monday, July 2 when he went to check on his garage and noticed both the service door and the overhead door open.

While he was waiting for police to arrive, he said he saw a black SUV driving slowly down his street. He watched it head into the alley; and he told police he saw two men get out and load a gas grill into the vehicle.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 812 (see map above), come to the Clearing Branch Library at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 11. If you live in Beat 814, come to the Vittum Park Fieldhouse at 7:00 Thursday, July 12. 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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Honor Flight Chicago Seeks Volunteers to Give VIP Treatment to WWII Veterans

Thank you to the several Southwest Chicago Post readers who have reminded us to encourage everyone to consider volunteering with the Honor Flight Chicago organization, which gives Chicago-area military veterans (primarily World War II) free round-trip air transportation (as well as VIP treatment) to Washington, D.C. to tour the National World War II Memorial.

Honor Flight Chicago, founded in 2008, is part of a nationwide Honor Flight Network---which, since 2005, has flown tens of thousands of military veterans to and from our nation's capital.

Honor Flight Chicago volunteers we have spoken with say their work is easy, emotion-packed and highly rewarding.

Photo: Honor Flight Chicago website

The flights, as well as the war-hero receptions that volunteers give to the vets, are designed to honor and thank those who answered the call and served their country. The flights have been well covered by the Chicago-area news media.

Interested? There are many ways to volunteer---large and small. Check out the Honor Flight Chicago website for more details.

The next Honor Flight at Midway Airport is set for Wednesday, July 11. There are also two flights in August, one in September and two in October. 

# # #

Patriot's Day Parade on Archer: A Cool Celebration on a Hot Summer Evening

One of the surest signs of summer in Garfield Ridge is the annual Patriot's Day Parade on Archer Avenue.

On a hotter-than-usual Monday evening, we brought our cameras (and a cooler full of ice) and set up shop at Archer and Melvina---a small but historic spot that is home to one of the last street corner "gate" remnants of decades gone by---as well as two longtime, well-liked independent businesses: Community Cleaners and Bart's Barber Shop.

We shot some decent photos and video of the parade, which stepped off from Twain Elementary School and ended at Wentworth Park.

Seventeen minutes of video highlights can be found on the Southwest Chicago Post channel on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/SouthwestChicagoPost.

We wish all Southwest Siders a joyful, meaningful and safe Independence Day holiday.

Waiting, waiting, waiting for the parade.

Scrambling for candy tossed by the units in the parade.

The ever-popular Chicago Fire Department got lots of applause.

Kids grab gum tossed by Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch marchers.

Lots of kids on and around the Park District float, of course.

Great mix of young people and old/historic corner in Garfield Ridge.

Richard Zilka, longtime (and recently retired) Clearing Civic League President.

 

Several Cub Scout and Boy Scout units were represented.

# # #

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.

* * *

A 20-year-old West Lawn man was arrested in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 28 after he allegedly impersonated a police officer and robbed a 35-year-old West Lawn man on the street in front of 5833 South Lawndale.


According to police, Thomas M. Considine III is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48-4 on Thursday, July 12.

Police said the incident occurred at about 3:00 a.m. Police were searching the area for thugs in a black SUV who had just smashed the windows of several parked vehicles, when they said they came upon Considine's beige 2007 Buick Lucerne near 58th Place and Lawndale. A red-and-blue flashing strobe light was on the dashboard, and Considine appeared to have curbed another car.

Police reported they saw Considine at the curbed car, talking with the driver. Considine was dressed in a police vest and wore a duty belt with handcuffs, police badge and an expandable baton. He had a pistol tucked into his waitband.

When approached by police, Considine allegedly said, "I'm with the Sheriff's Department."

Police at the scene ran a computer check on the Lucerne's license plate and found the auto registered not to the Sheriff, but to Considine.

Increasingly skeptical, police reportedly asked Considine about his law enforcement credentials. He then allegedly said, "I'm with the Cook County Sheriff's Correction Board" and stated he was with the CIU. When police asked what the CIU is, he allegedly responded, "The Confidential Informant Unit."

When backup units arrived, police ordered the 35-year-old man out of his car and took him into custody---to get him away from Considine. The man claimed that Considine presented himself as a police officer and confiscated his driver's license and cell phone.

Considine then allegedly said to police, "I'm one of you. I'm here to help you." He also reportedly claimed he knows where a local street gang hangs out.

He was then arrested by police and taken to the Eighth District station for processing. His hand gun turned out be a BB gun, and his badge was counterfeit. Further, police said that Cook County Sheriff's staff confirmed that Considine is not employed by them in any capacity.

Considine's car was impounded by police, who also confiscated his vest, badge, duty belt, BB gun, baton, handcuffs, police-style flashlight, red-and-blue strobe lights, and black baseball cap.

* * *

The aftermath of a grand opening party for an auto parts store in Vittum Park saw a 41-year-old Clearing man stabbed and a 34-year-old truck driver from Bloomingdale arrested for aggravated battery, just before 1:00 a.m. Sunday, July 1.

Both Chicago and Forest View police were on the scene.

Christopher R. Sobanski allegedly stabbed the victim with a pocket knife after an argument over the location of his car keys.

Sobanski reportedly told police he attended a grand opening party for an auto parts store near 47th and Laramie, became intoxicated and left. He came back later but was told to stay away, he said. According to police, others at the party moved his car, parking it on the street; but would not give him his keys.

While speaking with Sobanski, police became aware of a man lying in an alley behind 4715 South Laramie, calling for help. The man was bleeding; and police say Sobanski admitted to stabbing him.

The victim was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital.

* * *

A thug ran up to a 76-year-old West Lawn woman walking on the sidewalk in front of the O'Reilly Auto Parts store at 6800 South Pulaski and snatched a garnet cross on a gold chain off her neck, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30. He fled on foot in an unknown direction.

The woman described the robber to police as a white Hispanic man, 18-21 years old, 5'8 and 140 pounds, light complexion, wearing a red shirt and blue jeans.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 52nd and Natchez and stole a lawn mower, a weed trimmer, assorted tools, and a homemade computer system.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 45-year-old man, at 6:30 a.m. Friday, June 29, when he entered his garage via the service door and noticed the overhead door open. He told police he could not recall if he locked the garage door.

* * *

Burglars pried open the front door of a house near 66th and Kildare and stole two TVs with DVD players, a bicycle and three bottles of vintage whiskey.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old man, at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, June 30.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 812 (see map above), come to the Clearing Branch Library at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 11. If you live in Beat 814, come to the Vittum Park Fieldhouse at 7:00 Thursday, July 12. 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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