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.
* * *
South Side man charged in gas station beating
A 22-year-old South Side man was charged with battery after he was arrested at the Shell gas station at 5500 S. Pulaski at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, July 25.
Stephon D. Austin, of the 9600 block of South Yale, walked into the gas station “and dragged an 18-year-old male employee into the parking lot and began beating him,” police said.
* * *
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, 5010 West 50th Street, at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 9 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.
Arrest Garfield Ridge man driving stolen vehicle
A 20-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle in front of 6201 S. Monitor at 8:49 p.m. Friday, July 27.
Michael S. Vengrin, of the 5100 block of South Menard, was placed into custody “after officers responded to a call of a suspicious auto with occupants inside,” a CPD spokesman said. “Officers attempted to pull over the vehicle for traffic violations, at which time the driver (Vengrin) attempted to flee. He was detained moments later and taken into custody.”
Police said they then learned the vehicle was stolen and that Vengrin said he was not aware of that.
Man allegedly smashed window of liquor-store door
A 34-year-old Archer Heights man was charged with criminal damage to property after he allegedly used a rock to smash the front door of a liquor store near Archer and Menard at about 2 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1.
Todd A. Sloan, of the 4900 block of South Knox, was arrested near 53rd and Menard by two officers who saw him commit the crime, according to a CPD spokesman.
Sloan is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 17 at 51st and Wentworth.
According to public records, Sloan was arrested for battery at 6107 S. Archer (the address of Jewel-Osco) in 2016.
Charge man with obstructing police
A 36-year-old man was charged with obstruction of a peace officer in an incident that occurred during a traffic stop in front of 6523 S. Karlov at 1:30 a.m. Monday, July 30.
Juan R. Bailon “disobeyed an order to keep his hands on the hood of a police vehicle while a field investigation was being conducted during a lawful traffic stop,” police said. “The subject walked aggressively towards the officer with a menacing voice and with a physically tensed posture, yelling, ‘Fuck you.’ The subject refused to obey orders given by the officer, therefore obstructing the investigation.” Police did not disclose a home address for Bailon.
According to public records, Bailon has been arrested nine times by CPD since on 2014, on such charges as batter, domestic battery, retail theft, drinking alcohol on the public way and criminal damage to property.
Charge man with trespassing at 63rd Street bar
A 23-year-old Brighton Park man was charged with criminal trespass to land after he was arrested at Marianna’s Place, 5625 W. 63rd St. at 4:15 a.m. Sunday, July 29.
Christopher A. Escobedo, of the 4400 block of South Western, “returned to an establishment that he was told not to return to after he had earlier caused a disturbance by being loud and unruly,” a CPD spokesman said. “He was asked to leave, left and came back before being placed into custody.”
According to public records, Escobedo was arrested by CPD and charged with criminal trespassing in 2016, near Belmont and Western.
Bust Oak Lawn man again near Midway
A 28-year-old Oak Lawn man was charged with obstruction of traffic by a non-motorist after police arrested him in front of 6301 S. Cicero at 4:26 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1.
Ahmad Omar, of the 5600 block of West Edge Lake Drive, was apprehended "after he was observed walking in the roadway obstructing traffic," police said.
According to public records, Omar has been arrested nine times by CPD since 2014, on such charges as panhandling and criminal trespass to land. Six of those arrests have occurred this year, in a four-block stretch of Cicero Avenue just southeast of Midway Airport.
Bust North Sider for blocking traffic near Midway
A 31-year-old North Side man was charged with obstruction of traffic by a non-motorist after he was arrested at 6258 S. Cicero at 6:13 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1.
James H. O'Brien, of the 7300 block of North Damen, was spotted “walking in the roadway between vehicles and impeding the flow of traffic,” a CPD spokesman said.
According to public records, O’Brien has been arrested four times by CPD in the past 16 months—three times near 63rd and Cicero.
South Side man charged in gas station beating
 |
| Stephon Austin |
A 22-year-old South Side man was charged with battery after he was arrested at the Shell gas station at 5500 S. Pulaski at 10:20 a.m. Wednesday, July 25.
Stephon D. Austin, of the 9600 block of South Yale, walked into the gas station “and dragged an 18-year-old male employee into the parking lot and began beating him,” police said.
* * *
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, 5010 West 50th Street, at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 9 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.
* * *
Arrest Garfield Ridge man driving stolen vehicle
 |
| Michael Vengrin |
A 20-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle in front of 6201 S. Monitor at 8:49 p.m. Friday, July 27.
Michael S. Vengrin, of the 5100 block of South Menard, was placed into custody “after officers responded to a call of a suspicious auto with occupants inside,” a CPD spokesman said. “Officers attempted to pull over the vehicle for traffic violations, at which time the driver (Vengrin) attempted to flee. He was detained moments later and taken into custody.”
Police said they then learned the vehicle was stolen and that Vengrin said he was not aware of that.
Man allegedly smashed window of liquor-store door
 |
| Todd Sloan |
A 34-year-old Archer Heights man was charged with criminal damage to property after he allegedly used a rock to smash the front door of a liquor store near Archer and Menard at about 2 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1.
Todd A. Sloan, of the 4900 block of South Knox, was arrested near 53rd and Menard by two officers who saw him commit the crime, according to a CPD spokesman.
Sloan is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 17 at 51st and Wentworth.
According to public records, Sloan was arrested for battery at 6107 S. Archer (the address of Jewel-Osco) in 2016.
Charge man with obstructing police
 |
| Juan Bailon |
A 36-year-old man was charged with obstruction of a peace officer in an incident that occurred during a traffic stop in front of 6523 S. Karlov at 1:30 a.m. Monday, July 30.
Juan R. Bailon “disobeyed an order to keep his hands on the hood of a police vehicle while a field investigation was being conducted during a lawful traffic stop,” police said. “The subject walked aggressively towards the officer with a menacing voice and with a physically tensed posture, yelling, ‘Fuck you.’ The subject refused to obey orders given by the officer, therefore obstructing the investigation.” Police did not disclose a home address for Bailon.
According to public records, Bailon has been arrested nine times by CPD since on 2014, on such charges as batter, domestic battery, retail theft, drinking alcohol on the public way and criminal damage to property.
Charge man with trespassing at 63rd Street bar
 |
| Christopher Escobedo |
A 23-year-old Brighton Park man was charged with criminal trespass to land after he was arrested at Marianna’s Place, 5625 W. 63rd St. at 4:15 a.m. Sunday, July 29.
Christopher A. Escobedo, of the 4400 block of South Western, “returned to an establishment that he was told not to return to after he had earlier caused a disturbance by being loud and unruly,” a CPD spokesman said. “He was asked to leave, left and came back before being placed into custody.”
According to public records, Escobedo was arrested by CPD and charged with criminal trespassing in 2016, near Belmont and Western.
Bust Oak Lawn man again near Midway
 |
| Ahmad Omar |
A 28-year-old Oak Lawn man was charged with obstruction of traffic by a non-motorist after police arrested him in front of 6301 S. Cicero at 4:26 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1.
Ahmad Omar, of the 5600 block of West Edge Lake Drive, was apprehended "after he was observed walking in the roadway obstructing traffic," police said.
According to public records, Omar has been arrested nine times by CPD since 2014, on such charges as panhandling and criminal trespass to land. Six of those arrests have occurred this year, in a four-block stretch of Cicero Avenue just southeast of Midway Airport.
Bust North Sider for blocking traffic near Midway
 |
| James O'Brien |
A 31-year-old North Side man was charged with obstruction of traffic by a non-motorist after he was arrested at 6258 S. Cicero at 6:13 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 1.
James H. O'Brien, of the 7300 block of North Damen, was spotted “walking in the roadway between vehicles and impeding the flow of traffic,” a CPD spokesman said.
According to public records, O’Brien has been arrested four times by CPD in the past 16 months—three times near 63rd and Cicero.
# # #
