Saturday, November 13, 2021

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.


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Armed thugs carjack couple
Two criminals remain at large after they carjacked a couple in Garfield Ridge last weekend. A 33-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man were sitting in a car parked near 53rd and Rutherford at about midnight Sunday, November 7 when two gunmen approached (one on each side of the car). The thugs brandished handguns and ordered the victims out of the vehicle. They complied, and the 26-year-old handed over the keys. One of the criminals jumped in the car (a 2016 Toyota Corolla) and sped away west on 53rd Street. The other thug ran to a nearby alley and sped away south through the alley. Both criminals were described as Hispanic men. Police said the stolen car was recovered a short time later in Back of the Yards, near 45th and Paulina.




Charged with punching elderly man in face
Szatlarski

 
A 59-year-old Archer Heights man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 5200 block of South Keating at 10:10 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 10.

Stanislaw Szatlarski allegedly punched a 70-year-old man in the face during an argument.

According to public records, Szatlarski has been arrested four times by CPD since 2017 on charges that included battery and reckless conduct.


Claim Burbank man drove drunk, caused crash
Palenica



A 24-year-old Burbank man was charged with DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and leaving the scene of an accident after he was arrested in the 5300 block of South Massasoit at 7:48 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11.

Lukasz K. Palenica, of the 7800 block of South Narragansett, allegedly was driving a vehicle that struck a taxicab.

The cab driver gave chase and called 911, police said. Palenica also was cited for failure to stay in his lane.



Hit me with a wine bottle, man says
Martinez



A 29-year-old Clearing woman was charged with domestic battery after she was arrested at her home in the 7000 block of West 63rd Street at 2:40 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12.

Esmeralda E. Martinez allegedly used a wine bottle to hit a 30-year-old man in the arm during an argument.



Claim man threatened woman
De Michael


A 69-year-old West Lawn man was charged with assault after he was arrested at his home in the 6200 block of South Kilbourn at 9:20 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 17.

Richard F. De Michael allegedly threw a TV remote control device and a Kindle at a 64-year-old woman during an argument—and then threatened to kill her, police said. 

According to public records, De Michael has been arrested four times by CPD since 2015—three times at his home on a domestic battery charge.




Woman charged again with drug crime

A 25-year-old Brighton Park woman was charged with possession of controlled substance after she was arrested outside in the 4400 block of South Lawler at 8:29 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 14.
Santana


Paige K. Santana, of the 4000 block of South Richmond, was reportedly found to be in possession of two bags of a powdery substance believed to be heroin, a CPD spokesman said. A charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was added after police reportedly found a glass pipe inside a cigarette package on Santana. She also was wanted on a warrant, although police declined to say what she was wanted for or what jurisdiction issued the warrant.

According to public records, Santana has been arrested 15 times by CPD since 2018 on such charges as possession of a controlled substance, criminal trespass to a vehicle, soliciting rides on a public roadway and possession of a stolen vehicle.


Say man dented car hood
Anderson


A 45-year-old man was charged with criminal damage to property after he was arrested at 45th and Cicero at 6:10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16.

Nickie Anderson allegedly used his fist to pound on the hood of a car, denting it.

A charge of obstructing identification was added after Anderson allegedly gave police a false name.

According to public records, Anderson has been arrested seven times by CPD since 2014 on such charges as assault, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, resisting arrest, possession of a deadly weapon and drinking alcohol on the public way.




Say man violated order of protection again
Salgado



A 41-year-old West Lawn man was charged with violating an order of protection after he was arrested at his home in the 6500 block of South Keating at 2:10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 14.

Fernando M. Salgado allegedly violated the terms of an order designed to protect a 71-year-old woman.

According to public records, Salgado has been arrested four times this year by CPD: three times for violating an order of protection and once on a warrant charge.


Claim man punched woman in the head
Caruthers


A 25-year-old Chicago Lawn man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested on a sidewalk in the 6700 block of South Pulaski at 11:40 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16.

Ardan J. Caruthers, of the 6100 block of South Fairfield, allegedly punched a 24-year-old woman in the head during an argument.

According to public records, Caruthers was arrested by CPD in April 2015 at 71st and California and charged with robbery.



Man arrested twice in one week

A 55-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with violating an order of protection after he was arrested in the 6200 block of South Archer at 10:40 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31.
Krzywinski


Marek Krzywinski, of the 5500 block of South Mayfield, allegedly tried to visit a 60-year-old woman, in violation of a court order.

A week earlier, at 1:18 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, Krzywinski was charged with DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident after he was arrested in the 6100 block of South Archer. He allegedly drove his vehicle into a parked car a short distance from where he was arrested. 

According to public records, Krzywinski was arrested in August in the 6600 block of West 64th Place and charged with domestic battery.


Allegedly punched teen in the face
Vargas



A 20-year-old Auburn Gresham man was charged with battery after he was arrested in the 6500 block of West Archer at 12:29 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 31.

Fernando Vargas Jr., of the 7500 block of South Seeley, allegedly punched a 17-year-old boy in the face during an argument after a traffic crash, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.





Charge man with reckless driving after crash
Wunderlich

 
A 26-year-old Clearing man was charged with reckless driving and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident after he was arrested in the 4000 block of West 63rd Street at 11:15 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23.

Kyle B. Wunderlich, of the 6100 block of West 64th Place, allegedly drive a vehicle that ran a red light at 63rd and Pulaski, crashing into another vehicle—which, in turn, crashed into another.

According to public records, Wunderlich was arrested by CPD in September 2020 in the 5700 block of West 63rd Street and was charged with robbery, battery and assault.


Charge man with trespassing at MDW
Adell


A 52-year-old South Side man was charged with criminal trespass to state land after he was arrested at Midway International Airport at 2:08 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24.

Lloyd C. Adell, of the 9200 block of South Wabash, was apprehended in a restricted baggage area.

He reportedly told police he was trying to retrieve a cellphone he said he left on a passenger jet.




Charged with DUI after crash
Ferrer


A 46-year-old West Lawn man was charged with aggravated DUI and failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash after he was arrested at 56th and Kostner at 8:44 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30.

Fernando Ferrer, of the 5900 block of South Tripp, was the driver of a vehicle that crashed into four parked cars before flipping upside down, a CPD spokesman said. 

He also was cited for driving without a license.


Airport worker allegedly swiped cash
Chinos



A 31-year-old man from suburban Cicero was charged with theft after he was arrested at Midway International Airport at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Edwin Chinos, of the 5900 block of West 35th Street, allegedly stole cash from a cash register at a business where he worked in the terminal.

A CPD spokesman declined to say how much cash allegedly was stolen.



Claim man made threats on 58th Street
Mendez-Guzman


A 27-year-old West Lawn man was charged with two counts of assault after he was arrested in the 4000 block of West 58th Street at 1:35 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 3. 

Miguel A. Mendez-Guzman, of the 6200 block of South Kostner, allegedly made verbal threats against a 28-year-old woman and a 36-year-old man during an argument on the street.

According to public records, Mendez-Guzman was arrested twice by CPD in 2019, on charges that included theft and driving on a suspended license.


Charge man again with drunk driving

A 34-year-old West Lawn man was charged with aggravated DUI and driving on a suspended license after he was arrested in the 6700 block of South Komensky at 3:16 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 24.
Flores


Julio Flores, of the 6700 block of South Kedvale, was encountered by police responding to a call of a man slumped over the steering wheel of vehicle.

Police said Flores was asleep at the wheel, and his vehicle was stopped.

According to public records, Flores was arrested by CPD near 35th and Damen in 2014 and charged with aggravated DUI, aggravated fleeing, illegal transportation of open alcohol in a vehicle and driving on a suspended license.

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Friday, November 12, 2021

Rats "Out of Control" Across SW Side

Many neighbors report first-ever rat sightings in backyards

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

Fall is the time when pest-control companies see a surge in calls from homeowners who see mice and sometimes rats trying to get inside sheds, garages and even homes to find shelter for the winter.

But this year is far worse.

“Rats are out of control” on the Southwest Side and elsewhere across the city, according to José Yanez, owner of Amigo Pest Control, headquartered near Archer and Neva.

A quick check of neighborhood-based Facebook groups and other social media platforms shows neighbors agreeing with Yanez in what appears to be unprecedented numbers.

“I've lived in Garfield Ridge since 1969, and we never had a rat—never—until this year,” said Robert Bergren. “I’d like to know where in the hell they’re coming from.”

There are probably several answers to that.

First is the pandemic. Rats hang out where food is readily available; and for years, that often meant the garbage containers behind restaurants. But with so many restaurants shut down—or at least shifting gears largely to carryout and delivery—restaurants are generating far less food waste than ever.

That means rats have to look elsewhere for food. The obvious choices are garbage carts behind houses.

Second, rats seem to be adapting to some of the poisons that have kept them at bay for years, experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have said.

Third, for Clearing and Garfield Ridge at least, the construction that has occurred this year appears to be a contributing factor. 

People in the northwest corner of the community have wondered aloud if the ongoing sewer line replacement along 53rd Street and other streets has disrupted longtime rat burrows and pushed them into people’s backyards. People in the north central portion of the neighborhood have pointed to construction in Forest View, north of 51st Street and west of Central, as a reason.

Yanez points to the rebirth of Bedford Park as another reason for the surge in rat sightings.

“There’s been all this new digging and construction on the south side of 65th Street, on land that had just sat there vacant for years,” he said. “It’s safe to say that land was home to perhaps thousands of rats. When all that digging happened, the rats had to go somewhere, so a lot of them headed north to 64th Street, to 63rd Street and so on.”

Clearing resident Stasy Kasaitis agreed and faulted the Lightfoot Administration for what she called a failure to anticipate the surge.

“They had to know this would happen,” she said. “Yet I saw no indication of extra baiting of our alleys, no notices to residents that this would occur. Nothing from the mayor, nothing from Streets and San, nothing from the alderman.”

What homeowners can do

“If you want to prevent rats from getting in your garage or your home, you have to look closely and make sure that rats have no way to get in. Every crack, every crevice, every hole must be sealed completely,” Yanez added. “A rat only needs an opening the size of a quarter to get into your house or garage. A mouse only needs an opening the size of a dime. If they can squeeze their head through a hole or a crack, they’re in—and now you have a problem. Because once rats get in and establish themselves, they think it’s their home, not yours.”

Some neighbors in 2021 are turning to feral cats for help in keeping rats at bay, but Yanez is skeptical.

“It used to be you’d only see rats at night, but that’s changed, and you see them during the day,” he said. “They’re getting bold, and I’ve heard reports of rats actually chasing feral cats, instead of the other way around. It’s getting to the point where rats are not afraid of people and in some cases may attack.”

City rodent control workers typically encourage everyone with a complaint about rats to call 311 with an exact address and a detailed description of the problem.

City Hall fields more than 42,000 rat-related complaints in an average year.

But once rodents get inside a home or garage, City workers can do little. That’s where professionals like Yanez come in.

“We have a number of weapons at our disposal, and they work,” he said. “We have a variety of traps, as well as poison that can stop an infestation quickly. Our pest control professionals can and do make homes rodent free—and we help keep them that way.”

Amigo offers a package that includes an initial analysis, corrective action and baiting, as well as a monthly maintenance agreement. Discounts of at least 25% are available for senior citizens and military veterans. Further, Yanez is looking to select a single residential block for a demonstration project--to show that he and his crew can actually rid an entire block of rodents. Nine out of 10 households on the block must participate, for the block to be selected.

Amigo can be reached at (708) 925-1213.













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