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.
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Reputed gang member shot in the hand
An 18-year-old Gage Park man said by police to be a gang member was shot in the right hand as he drove his vehicle in the 4100 block of West 43rd Street at 2:31 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18. The victim told police that when he left his home, he noticed a black SUV following him. Later, when he was parked near 42nd and Keeler (waiting to pick up a relative from work), he saw the black SUV again. He heard gunshots, felt pain in his hand and sped away, but hit a parked vehicle. He bolted, ran through nearby yards and was spotted in the 4300 block of South Komensky by a 55-year-old man who had heard gunshots and walked outside to investigate. The victim was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was treated and released.
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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, March 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.
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Man charged with violating order of protection
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| Edward Wilcox |
A 26-year-old Chicago Lawn man was charged with violating an order of protection when he was arrested on the street in the 5400 block of South Laramie at about 2 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15.
Edward Wilcox, of the 6500 block of South Campbell, was arrested without incident.
A CPD spokesman refused to say where the alleged violation occurred.
According to public records, Wilcox has been arrested six times by CPD since 2015 on charges that included domestic battery and unlawful use of a weapon.
‘Shots fired’ call leads to arrest of two men
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| Michael Hernandez |
A 23-year-old West Lawn man was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after police stopped his vehicle at 5:35 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 in front of 3231 W. 79th St.
Michael Vera Hernandez, of the 6000 block of South Kildare, was charged after police responding to a “shots fired” call reportedly found two handguns in the vehicle.
Also apprehended was 27-year-old Salvador Lagunas Parraguirre, of the 4300 block of West 78th Street. He was charged with reckless conduct.
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| Salvador Parraguirre |
Bust man for alleged threats at 7-Eleven
A 31-year-old Chicago Lawn man was charged with assault after he allegedly made
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| Jesse Cobbins |
threatening statements to a person inside the 7-Eleven at 5953 W. 63rd St. at about 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15.
Jesse M. Cobbins, of the 6300 block of South Claremont, was apprehended at the scene.
A CPD spokesman did not say exactly what the threat was or who the victim was.
According to public records, Cobbins has been arrested seven times by CPD since 2014, on such charges as criminal trespass to land, domestic battery and panhandling.
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Robbed of his Air Jordans at gunpoint
An 18-year-old Chicago Lawn man was robbed at gunpoint on a sidewalk in front of 3100 W. 83rd Place at about 7 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21. The victim told police that he was at the location to meet a man he met on Facebook, who agreed to buy a pair of Air Jordans and a hoodie from him. But as he approached, the buyer pulled a gun and said, “Give me the stuff and get back in your car.” The victim handed over the merchandise (valued at a total of $450), and the gunman fled east through Hayes Park. He was described as a black man age 18-25, about 5-foot-11 and 130 pounds, with brown eyes and a dark complexion.
Robbed of his Air Jordans by Facebook ‘buyer’
A 19-year-old Chicago Lawn man was robbed at gunpoint on the street at 83rd and Francisco at about 10 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21. The victim told police that he was at the site to sell his Nike Air Jordans to a man he met on Facebook. When he walked up, the buyer pulled a pistol and said,” It’s either you give me it, or I’m gonna lay you down.” The victim handed over the athletic shoes, and the robber ran away east on 83rd Street. He was described as a black man age 21-25, about 5-foot-11 and 155 pounds, with short black hair. He wore black clothing.
Masked bandit robs cellphone store
A masked gunman robbed the Metro PCS store at 4846 S. Cicero at about 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, making off with $97 cash, as well as the wallet of a customer. The clerk, a 22-year-old South Shore woman, described the robber as a black man age 18-22, about 5-foot-9 and 145 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair and a dark complexion.
Burbank men busted in stolen vehicle
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| Edwin Avina |
Two Burbank men were charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle after a traffic stop in front of 7524 S. Pulaski at 11:19 p.m. Monday, Feb. 18.
Edwin Avina, 18, and Irvin Roman, 22, both of the 8000 block of South Lamon, were taken into custody after police learned that the vehicle they were in had been reported stolen.
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| Irvin Roman |
Burglars hit restaurant on Archer
Burglars pried open the back door of El Basurero restaurant, 4781 S. Archer, and stole a laptop computer, a security system hard drive, a camera and about $2,000 cash. The crime was reported to police at 11:35 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20 by the owner, a 39-year-old Pilsen man.
