Tuesday, July 8, 2025

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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Claim woman tried to pass altered check
Schaefer

A 40-year-old North Lawndale woman was charged with forgery after she was arrested at the Peoples Bank branch at 6162 S. Archer at 10:57 a.m. Saturday, May 24.

Leoria Schaefer, of the 1200 block of South Independence, allegedly tried to cash an altered payroll check from a business, a CPD spokesman said.


Bust two on drug charges
Elijah Davis

Two men were arrested on drug-related charges after they were apprehended in the alley behind 6908 W. 56th Street at 4:48 p.m. Saturday, May 24.

Elijah J. Davis, 22, of the 1500 block of South Christiana, and Christian Trey Davis, 20, of the 5500 block of South Oak Park, were taken into custody without incident, a CPD spokesman said.

Christian Davis


Both were charged with possession of a controlled substance. The younger man was also hit with weapons charges after police reportedly found him in possession of a handgun with a laser sight.

According to public records, Elijah J. Davis was arrested by CPD in November 2024 near North Avenue and Pulaski and charged with possession of a controlled substance.




Traffic stop leads to charge
Valero

A 28-year-old Clearing man was charged with driving a vehicle without a valid registration after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 5517 S. Mobile at 6:57 p.m. Thursday, May 29. 

Jesus M. Montenegro Valero, of the 6000 block of South Austin, also was cited for driving without insurance.


Charge man with domestic battery
Novak

A 45-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 5800 block of West 59th Street at 10:41 a.m. Sunday, June 1.

Michael Novak allegedly pushed a 40-year-old woman to the floor during an argument.

According to public records, Novak has been arrested three times since 2017 on such charges as domestic battery, assault and criminal damage to property.




Bust man on drug rap

A 29-year-old Sleepy Hollow man was charged with possession of a controlled substance after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 5204 S. Moody at 6:07 p.m. Sunday, June 1.
Boatman

 
Edward D. Boatman, of the 4600 block of South Knox, was reportedly found to be in possession of a small amount of cocaine. He also was charged with driving on a revoked license. 

According to public records, Boatman has been arrested seven times by CPD since 2019 on such charges as reckless discharge of a firearm, criminal damage to property, failure of a convicted gun offender to report to police, and possession of a large amount of fentanyl.


Say man trespassed in woman’s kitchen

A 37-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with criminal trespassing after he was arrested outside at 56th and Parkside at 4:39 p.m. Friday, June 6.
Vega


Gerardo Vega, of the 5600 block of South Austin, was apprehended by officers responding to a “burglary in progress” call. A CPD spokesman said Vega had walked into a 63-year-old woman’s home near 56th and Monitor and ate a sandwich in the kitchen.

According to public records, Vega has been arrested six times by CPD since 2014 on such charges as drinking alcohol on the public way, possession of a controlled substance, DUI and driving on a revoked license.




Charged with aggravated battery
Gonzalez

A 34-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with aggravated battery/strangle after he was arrested at his home in the 5800 block of West 55th Street at 9:17 p.m. Tuesday, June 10.

Efrain Gonzalez allegedly put his hands around the neck of a 38-year-old woman during an argument, causing her to have difficulty breathing, a CPD spokesman said.


Say man trespassed in vehicle
Montano

A 29-year-old Chrysler Village man was charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle after he was arrested in front of 5715 W. 62nd St. at 5:12 p.m. Wednesday, May 12.

Angelo Montano, of the 6300 block of South Leclaire, was apprehended as he sat in a vehicle owned by a 32-year-old man, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.


Claim woman threatened neighbor
Franco

A 26-year-old Clearing woman was charged with battery and aggravated assault after she was arrested at her home in the 6300 block of West 65th Street at 4:08 p.m. Sunday, June 8. 

Kassandra Franco allegedly threw an object at a neighbor she was arguing with and then threatened him with a knife, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.


Allegedly scratched woman

A 41-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 5500 block of South Parkside at 4:40 p.m. Sunday, June 15.
Meller


David Meller allegedly scratched the face of a 46-year-old woman during an argument.

According to public records, Meller has been arrested four times by CPD since 2018 on charges that included assault and violating an order of protection.




Say man trespassed in living room
Zaragoza

A 36-year-old man from suburban Cicero was charged with criminal trespass to a residence after he was arrested at a home in the 5300 block of South Normandy at 12:35 a.m. Tuesday, June 17.

Jose Carlos Zaragoza, of the 2400 block of South 56th Court, was apprehended by officers responding to a “burglary in progress” call. The victim, a 70-year-old man, told police he found Zaragoza sitting in his living room. He apparently entered the home through unlocked doors, a CPD spokesman said.


Allegedly hit other woman
Mendoza

A 36-year-old Wrightwood woman was charged with battery after she was arrested at a business at the northwest corner of Archer and Central at 5:47 p.m. Wednesday, June 18. 

Alexandra Mendoza, of the 2600 block of West 82nd Place, allegedly struck a 57-year-old woman during an argument at the business, which a CPD spokesman declined to name. Both women were customers at the business, the spokesman said.



Allegedly slapped two women
Moore

A 29-year-old West Town man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested in the 6700 block of West 58th Street at 9:13 a.m. Friday, June 20.

Jeremy B. Moore, of the 2500 block of West Chicago, allegedly slapped a 23-year-old woman in the face during an argument. A charge of battery was added after Moore allegedly slapped the face of a 41-year-old woman who tried to intervene, a CPD spokesman said. 


He threatened me, woman tells police

A 39-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with assault after he was arrested at his home in the 5600 block of South Mayfield at 3:42 a.m. Monday, June 30.
Bochula


Tomasz A. Bochula allegedly threatened to hit a 30-year-old woman with an automobile jack during an argument, a police spokesman said.

According to public records, Bochula was arrested by CPD in November 2019 near 95th and Paulina and charged with possession of a controlled substance and driving on a revoked license.



Allegedly grabbed her wrist
Schmidt

A 42-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 5400 block of South Rutherford at 6:39 p.m. Saturday, June 21.

Richard T. Schmidt allegedly grabbed the wrist of a 41-year-old woman during an argument, causing minor scratches to her arm, a CPD spokesman said.


Busted on criminal damage to property rap

A 45-year-old man was charged with criminal damage to property after he was arrested on the street in front of 6034 W. 63rd Street at 9:07 a.m. Saturday, June 21.
Blasiaski


Ryan Blasiaski (aka Ryan Blasinski) allegedly threw an object at several windows of the bank at 63rd and Austin minutes before he was apprehended.

According to public records, Blasiaski has been arrested seven times by CPD since 2017 on such charges as criminal trespass to land, public indecency and disorderly conduct/window peeping.




Claim man stole from employer
Lopez

A 42-year-old Clearing man was charged with felony theft after he was arrested at his home in the 6100 block of South Mulligan at 12:48 p.m. Monday, June 23.

Eduardo Lopez allegedly stole more than $5,000 from his employer via use of a company credit card over a three-year period, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.


Allegedly punched woman in the face
Martinez

A 37-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested near his home in the 6200 block of South Major at 2:15 a.m. Tuesday, June 24.

Adam Martinez allegedly punched a 31-year-old woman in face at least 10 times, a CPD spokesman said.


Charged with domestic battery
Raby

A 42-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 6100 block of South Oak Park at 12:56 a.m. Saturday, June 28.

Mohamed L. Raby allegedly grabbed a 31-year-old woman and banged her head against a wall, a CPD spokesman said.



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Friday, July 4, 2025

A Gentle Soul in an Unmarked Grave

Opinion
By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor, Southwest Chicago Post

Several weeks ago, I spoke with a dozen or so people in Garfield Ridge about one of their neighbors.

And they all agreed.

Annie Derdak was a nice lady.

Here are just a few samplings of what I heard about Annie:

• "She was such a nice lady."
Annie Derdak

• "Annie was the sweetest woman. She was a neighbor for many years and always had a kind word for everyone."

• "I did not know her well, but whenever I would be out walking with my daughters she would always stop and chat with us, and tell us stories. She was a truly delightful woman."

• "She was my neighbor for 15 years! My parents and I talked to her all the time when we lived one house down from her. She was an amazing woman with a gentle soul."

That makes this situation that much more sad.

Annie and her husband, Peter, lived in their home near 57th and Newcastle for many years.

They lived, they loved, they laughed. They grew old together.

Peter died in 2016 at age 89. Annie died in 2023 at age 91.

After Peter died, Annie made sure his grave at Resurrection Cemetery was marked and cared for.

But 18 months after Annie's passing, her grave--right next to Peter's, of course--remains unmarked.
The graves of Annie and Peter Derdak.

This has caused a great deal of frustration and even grief for those who loved her and remember her fondly--perhaps most notably, Don Krukowski, who since 2014 helped care for Annie and Peter in their twilight years.

"I made a promise to Annie that I'd make sure her grave was cared for the way it ought to be," Don told me. "To not be able to do that is so frustrating, I lose sleep over it. It's not right."

So Don did a considerable amount of digging for answers. What he learned is that Annie's grave (purchased years ago) includes a marker--so money is not the issue. Everything has been paid for.

In a case like this, it's up to next of kin to fill out some very simple paperwork to have the grave marker made and installed. When there is no next of kin (as is the case here), the task falls to whoever Annie designated as Power of Attorney.

Resurrection Cemetery officials would not tell Don who Annie had designated as Power of Attorney over her affairs. But he found out from another source that it's a couple living in the southwest suburbs--a couple who had befriended Annie.

Don repeatedly tried contacting them--going so far as to pay a visit to their home. But he says he ran into what sounds like a bunch of baloney--everything from "I don't know" to "I don't speak English" and so forth.

The couple also did not respond to several attempts I made to contact them.

So I put the question to Archdiocesan officials.

I received a brief response via email from Catholic Cemeteries Executive Director Ted Ratajczyk: "In this particular case, we are waiting for the next of kin to authorize the inscription information. We have sent repeated requests to the next of kin."

Ratajczyk added, "For the cemeteries as a whole, we are not having any systemic delays for memorialization."

I asked a reasonable follow-up question:

"I'm sure such cases are uncommon but not unheard of. Does Catholic Cemeteries have a policy or protocol in place when next of kin dies or moves away and can't be found--or next of kin is estranged--(and yet the grave remains unmarked)?"

No response.

And so, Annie Derdak, a sweet woman with a gentle soul, is forced to endure--in death--the insult of an unmarked grave.

I think Catholic Cemeteries can do better.

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Thursday, July 3, 2025

'The People Here Get It': Garfield Ridge is Home to New Mural Honoring the Sacrifices of Five Fallen CPD Officers

Opinion
By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor, Southwest Chicago Post

Say their names.

Then say them again.







CPD officers who gave their lives in service to us all.

All five honored by muralist Milt Coronado in a beautiful new work of art on the east side of the building at 6455 W. Archer. 

(Neighborhood old-timers recall the building as the former home of Daru Coins, starting in 1964, then later the Chicago Coin Company.)

Here's a good look at the mural, courtesy of Milt Coronado via TikTok:




Coronado, a full-time social worker by day, started the mural in early May and worked on it when his schedule and the weather allowed. He finished in late June.

A dedication of the mural was held recently. It included Coronado and family and friends of the five officers, as well as Midway-area business, civic, police and political leaders.

Several people spoke, but perhaps none summed up the meaning of the mural better than 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn, who praised Coronado and added, "The message this mural sends is powerful: all of us must never forget these officers and the sacrifices they made."

(SWCP photo by Don Krukowski)

He added, "[Garfield Ridge] is a special community. You don't see this kind of support for the police in most other parts of the city. The people here get it. They appreciate the work that those in law enforcement do every day to keep us safe, and they honor the sacrifices made by police."

Coronado's murals grace a number of buildings across the Southwest Side and beyond. But this is the first time he has used his talents to specifically honor police. He said a
(Photo: Quinn & Guerrero-Cuellar Service Office)
 conversation with a police officer friend gave him a deeper understanding and appreciation of what the men and women of law enforcement are up against--and it provided the spark of inspiration.

"There was a lot of emotion involved in this," he said. "I wanted the mural to capture who these [police officers] were, so I spent time with their family members to get a better sense of their personalities."

Coronado himself raised all funds--both from corporations and individuals--to cover the costs (roughly $15,000) of producing the mural. He credited the Chicago F.C. (CPD's soccer club), the Brotherhood for the Fallen, The Home Depot and others for providing key support. He also thanked 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez for paying for an expensive but effective clear coating designed to protect the work of art from weather damage, as well as graffiti that may be scrawled by vandals.

He chose the 6455 W. Archer building at the suggestion of Midway Chamber of Commerce President Mary Ellen Brown. She worked with the building's landlord to secure permission.

"Milt is very talented--an amazing artist and person," she said. "He's my go-to guy for any kind of art. He did the mural at my business (Midway Storage, 5660 W. 55th Street)."

She added, "This mural will be seen by thousands of men, women and children, serving as a reminder to be appreciative of all that our police do every day."

Brown also said she witnessed firsthand the effect the mural can have have on police and their families.

"At the dedication, I was fortunate to talk with Aréanah Preston's mom," she recalled. "The mural seemed to have an overwhelming effect on her. It was emotional. It was a reminder that for many men and women in law enforcement, it's so much more than a job. It's a calling."



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