2 Thursday, April 13, 2017
The Regional News
Suspect in Palos Heights Chase robbery attempt caught
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New police officer ready to go
Palos Heights Police Department officials recently congratulated new Officer Lindsey A. Campione, who graduated from the Cook County Sheriff’s Training Academy earlier this month. Sharing the proud moment are (from left) Chief George L. Yott Jr., Officer Campione, Deputy Chief William Czajkowski and Deputy Chief Dave Delaney.
POLICE BLOTTER: ORLAND PARK Three drove drunk, police say Orland Park police charged Matthew R. Taylor, 21, of Orland Park, with DUI, speeding and failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident as they investigated a two-vehicle crash near 82nd Avenue and Pickens Drive at 7:01 p.m. March 21. Police said Taylor admitted driving at about 55 mph, about 15 mph over the posted limit. The police report gave no indication of any injuries to Taylor or the woman whose vehicle he rear-ended. His car was towed and impounded, and Taylor was set to appear in court in Bridgeview last Monday. Bridgeview resident Stephen M. Shaw, 24, was charged with DUI, illegal transportation of alcohol and speeding after police stopped his SUV in the 7100 block of West 159th Street at 2:19 a.m. March 26. Police spotted his vehicle traveling at 71 mph, more than double the posted limit, according to the police report. Police said they searched the vehicle and found a clear plastic cup containing an alcoholic beverage. The SUV was towed and impounded, and Shaw is expected to appear in court in Bridgeview on May 9. Mokena resident Christopher D. Neubauer, 44, was charged with DUI/alcohol and drugs, illegal transportation of alcohol and possession of alcohol in a village park after police found him asleep in his parked SUV at Frontier Park, 9740 W. 144th Place, at 1:29 p.m. March 24. His passenger, Mokena resident Jennifer L. Chio, 41, was cited for possession of alcohol in a park. She, too, was found sleeping in the SUV, police said. In the vehicle were
a half-empty bottle of Svedka Strawberry Lemonade Vodka, a half-empty bottle of Jagermeister and a number of prescriptions medications belonging to Neubauer, according to the police report. The vehicle was towed and impounded, and Neubauer was turned over to Tinley Park police after it was learned he was wanted on a DUI warrant, according to the police report. Neubauer was due in court in Bridgeview last Monday.
Accused of using phone while driving Tinley Park resident Kyle R. Szabo, 29, was charged with using an electronic communications device while driving, operating an uninsured motor vehicle and failure to wear seatbelts after police curbed his SUV near 151st Street and Sunset Ridge at 6:04 p.m. March 24. He was given a court date of May 4 in Bridgeview.
Mom cited for toy theft Police cited Orland Park resident Sandra E. Kehoe, 32, with retail theft after she allegedly stole two toys worth a total of $17 from Kohl’s in Orland Park Place at 6:52 p.m. March 24. Store security staff told police that they saw Kehoe’s two children take toys out of their packaging—and that she then concealed the packaging on a shelf. At the checkout counter, security staff said that Kehoe motioned for her children not to put the toys on the counter. She was apprehended outside the store. Police said she had no prior arrests and was due at a hearing at the Orland Park Civic Center last Tuesday.
POLICE BLOTTER: PALOS HEIGHTS DUI Thomas W. Ottenhoff, 60, of Palos Heights, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at 11:49 p.m. Friday, in the 12500 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said he was also cited for driving without insurance and improper lane usage. He is due in court on May 8.
License charges Justin Lee Cooley, 20, of Harvey, was charged with driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop at 11:47 p.m. April 4, in the 6600 block of West College Drive. Police said he is due in court on May 22. Ronald J. Code, 55, of Worth,
was charged with driving with a suspended license following a traffic stop at 8:35 a.m. Sunday, in the 12100 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said he was also cited for driving without insurance. He is due in court on May 22. Sharnita S. Sharkey-Dye, 26, of Park Forest, was charged with driving with a revoked license following a traffic stop at 11:21 p.m. April 4, in the 12700 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said she was also cited for driving without insurance and only one red taillight. She is due in court on May 8. Kirt D. Bella, 38, of Orland Park, was charged with driving with a revoked license following a traffic stop at 7:36 p.m. Friday, in the 12600 block of South Harlem
Avenue. Police said he was also cited for not wearing a seatbelt. He is due in court on May 8.
Aggravated speeding Christina A. Lafaire, 26, of Orland Park, was charged with aggravated speeding following a traffic stop at 10:58 a.m. Saturday, in the 7300 block of West 131st Street. Police said she was driving 27 miles over the speed limit. She is due in court on May 22.
She left Palos Heights empty-handed but a bank robbery suspect hasn’t escaped the law. Dinika Lawrence, also known as Dinika Walker, has been charged in federal court with three counts of bank robbery. She allegedly committed two robberies at the same Chase bank in Riverdale last year, netting a reported total of $66,000. She walked away March 24 from the Palos Heights Chase, 12657 S. Ridgeland Ave., after displaying a note but supposedly becoming “spooked” and leaving without the cash, said police. The suspect was captured on surveillance footage with her head and face draped in multi-colored scarves. Her note in at least one of the Riverdale incidents supposedly stated that she had a bomb on her person set to detonate in 12 minutes and that men from ISIS were holding her children hostage nearby. “I need $20,000 in 20s,” the note reportedly said. Following the attempted robbery in Palos Heights, the suspect was allegedly seen getting into a tan or gold older model car that appeared to be a Mercury Grand Marquis or similar model. She was a passenger in that car. On March 29, Calumet City police said a man walked into a Walgreens store there and allegedly reached into the cash register, stealing $60. The vehicle seen leaving the Walgreens—a 1997 Ford Crown Victoria, a near-twin to a Mercury Grand Marquis— was later stopped in Dolton. The
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Suspect in the attempted robbery of the Chase Bank in Palos Heights, now in federal custody.
car contained a female passenger. The man was arrested and taken into custody. The FBI was notified by Dolton police that the car appeared to match the vehicle described at
Orland Park police invited to present at national conference The Orland Park Police Department, which debuted its Crisis Intervention Team in 2015, has been invited to present at a national conference hosted in June by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). “We are very proud of all that the Orland Park Police Department Crisis Intervention Team has accomplished in just a few years,” said Mayor Dan McLaughlin. “The department took the initiative a few years ago when the Tinley Park Mental Health Center closed and brought in experts to train our officers knowing that the number of mental illness-related calls would increase.” Orland Park has been identified as a “Best Practice Team for the 2017 Best Practices Implementation Academy” because of its work with the One Mind Campaign. Nine police departments from across the country have been
invited to present in Washington, D.C. A letter to the department from SAMHSA reads, “You have demonstrated that you have expertise, knowledge and capacity to implement a successful jurisdiction-wide strategy to reduce the number of adults with mental and co-occurring substance use disorders in local jails.” The Orland Park Police Department joined the “One Mind Campaign” of the International Association of Chiefs of Police in early 2017. This initiative was created to unite local communities, public safety organizations and mental health organizations so that the three become “of one mind.” Trustee Dan Calandriello, chair of the village’s Public Safety Committee, said, “The Orland Park Police Department is on top of it when it comes to emerging trends. They knew that local law enforcement would be called on
Donald D. Clark. 59, of Lockport, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a two-car crash at 11:03 p.m. April 4, in the 9500 block of West 131st Street. Police said he registered 0.196 blood-alcohol count on a breath test. He was also cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, and illegal transportation of alcohol because police said several open and unopened beer cans were found in the car, including one partially full. He is due in court on May 4.
Expired registration Manuel Castillo Jr., 24, of Orland Park, was cited for driving
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would have preferred if parents were informed before students were told about the situation during an all-school assembly on April 3. He said the letter was sent to parents later the same day. “I thought that was the wrong way to do it. I wish the parents had been told first. But they’ve sent two or three emails since
with expired registration following a traffic stop at 5:10 p.m. April 2, in the 9500 block of West 131st Street, said police. He is due in court on May 4.
Cooler stolen A stainless-steel cooler worth $1,500 was reported stolen from outside Frangella’s Italian Imports store, 11925 S. 80th Ave., at 12:02 p.m. March 28. The store owner said the non-working, three-drawer cooler had been placed behind the business, and video surveillance showed it being taken away in an older-style white van.
Deceptive practices Police are investigating a fraud then. It wasn’t just one student. We heard as many as six could be involved,” he said. “I don’t necessarily hold it against the school. I see this as an unstable individual. If they didn’t know about it, I wouldn’t hold it against them. But it’s a small school and I’m afraid it will probably affect enrollment,” said the father. According to the school’s website, there are currently 342 stu-
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Car burglarized Unspecified items were reported stolen out of an unlocked car in the 6300 block of West 125th Street during the overnight hours between last Thursday and Friday, according to police.
complaint filed by a 71-year-old Palos Park woman, who reported discovering assorted fraudulent transactions involving her own bank account, and those of her daughter and mother. She said her mother lives in a nursing home in Chicago, and the transactions occurred while she and her daughter were out of town between March 17 and 29. She said withdrawals of $1,100, $900 and $1,500 were taken out of the three First Midwest accounts after large, bogus checks were deposited. A 52-year-old woman reported finding a fraudulent online trans- Prize-winner Lindsey Quick and her father, Tom. action on her bank account that occurred at 12:33 a.m. March 25. She said someone unknown had made a $345 purchase on eBay using her debit card. dents at Chicago Christian. The man said he heard the woman involved was a Spanish teacher, something Doorn said he could “neither confirm nor deny.” “If my son didn’t like this school so much, I would consider moving him elsewhere. Coincidentally, what he likes most about it is the teachers,” said the father. Anyone wishing to contact police with information about the case may call 708-448-5060.
to respond to mental illness calls and took the initiative to make sure that Orland Park’s police personnel were properly trained.” The department was invited because it has developed partnerships and is collaborating with local agencies through the One Mind Campaign. Orland Park’s innovative agreement with Trinity Services, Inc. provides mental health services for referred individuals within 48 hours of making contact with the police department. “Law enforcement officers around the world --- not just in the United States --- are being called to situations involving those suffering from mental illness,” said Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy. “Orland Park has always been proactive in its programs and the police department’s commitment to the One Mind Campaign is another example of that.”
Half marathon
POLICE BLOTTER: PALOS PARK DUI
the Chase Bank incident in Palos Heights. A search warrant was obtained and a multi-colored scarf was found inside the car, leading to Lawrence being charged on April 6.
Palos Heights girl reels in big catch at Lake Katherine competition The Spring Fishing Classic attracted 13 competitors who fished the entire shore for a catch-and-release fundraiser last Saturday. Each year Lake Katherine hosts two catch-and-release fishing classics and a Family Fishing Day. Proceeds from the events go toward restoration, children’s programs and animal care at Lake Katherine Nature Center & Botanic Gardens in Palos Heights. Lindsey Quick, 12, of Palos Heights, caught the largest bass at 3.2 lbs. and 19 inches.
Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) will be the grand marshal of the event, and may run in one of the main races. Other local office holders likely to be there include state Sen. Bill Cunningham (D-18), as well as local mayors Bob Straz of Palos Heights, John Mahoney of Palos Park and Gerald Bennett of Palos Hills. Route 83 will be closed to traffic between Harlem and Archer avenues before the main races start, limiting access to nearby parking lots. Prestinario and Diab are suggesting that people coming later in the morning for the Kids’ Dash park in the north end of the Palos Park Metra station, located about four blocks west of the starting point. Barb Bergamo, president of the Palos Area Chamber of Commerce, said Friday that space is also still available for vendors who would like to participate in the chamber’s Health and Business Expo, which, as usual, is being held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 6, the day before the races, at Shepard High School, 13049 S. Ridgeland Ave. Race participants also traditionally collect their number bibs, event shirts and ”goody bags” containing snacks and other items put together by volunteers during the Expo. Registration forms for vendors and details about the Expo are available at www.palosareachamber.org. With all the details coming together for the 10th annual race, Diab said one of the remaining things to do is, “…cross our fingers for some good weather.”