2 The Reporter
Thursday, March 31, 2016
DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER
Oak Lawn Police make arrests, record violations to curb drunk drivers Results from the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” holiday crackdown on drunk drivers in Oak Lawn are in with several arrests and violations cited by the Oak Lawn police force. During the St. Patrick’s Day holiday week, the Oak Lawn Police Department said that dealing with the dangers of drunk drivers was a top priority. From March 15 through March 20, Oak Lawn police stopped and arrested four intoxicated drivers. Also during that period, the Oak Lawn police cited 83 occupant violations and numerous other citations were issued for various other traffic infractions. “We warned partygoers not to drink and drive, and we backed it up with aggressive enforcement,” said Sgt. Michael Acke. “These offenders needed
to realize their actions have serious and potentially fatal consequences, and hopefully, now that they have been arrested, they will not put themselves and others at risk by driving drunk again. “Drunk driving is deadly dangerous and people can get too wrapped up in the excitement of the holidays and make bad decisions,” said Acke. “The bottom line is if you have been celebrating the holidays with alcohol, you don’t belong behind the wheel. Never drink and drive.” The recent law enforcement crackdown was funded by federal traffic safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation and is part of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns.
Chicago Ridge Police crack down on drunk drivers over St. Patrick’s Day The Chicago Ridge Police Department made one drunk driving arrest during the recent St. Patrick’s Day crackdown, according to Chief Robert Pyznarski. Thirteen seat belt citations were written, seven of which occurred during nighttime hours. Chicago Ridge officers also cited 34 motorists for cellphone use while driving and made two drug arrests. “In 2014, on average, one person was killed every 53 minutes in a drunk driving crash in the Unites States,” said Pyznarski. “That means there was a total of 9,967 drunk driving fatalities
that year in America. These enforcement crackdowns are vital because too many people are not heeding the message – drunk driving is deadly and illegal.” Pyznarski reminded motorists that alcohol impairs driving skills and judgement. “Anytime you see a friend drinking alcohol, make sure they don’t plan to drive home,” added Pyznarski. The Chicago Ridge Police Department joined forces with other state and local law enforcement and highway safety partners in the Illinois St. Patrick’s Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown.
POLICE REPORTS Chicago Ridge License charges • Matthew T. Martin, 24, of Merrillville, Ind., was charged with driving on a suspended license following a traffic stop at 3:20 a.m. Friday, in the 9500 block of South Harlem Avenue. Police said he was also cited for speeding and driving without insurance. He is due in court on May 13. • Mary N. Powell, 18, of the 7200 block of South Perry Avenue, Chicago, was charged with driving without a license or insurance following a traffic stop at 11:05 p.m. last Thursday at 95th Street and Ridgeland Avenue. She is due in court on May 13. • Jason T. Doyle, 27, of the 10800 block of South Whipple Street, Chicago, was charged with driving on a suspended license following a traffic stop at 4:30 p.m. last Thursday, in the 11000 block of South Ridgeland Avenue. He is due in court on May 13.
Retail theft Rima M. Elqarah, 27, of the 7100 block of Southfield Drive, Bridgeview, was charged with retail theft at Kohl’s in Chicago Ridge Mall at 1:25 p.m. last Thursday. Police said she was stopped outside the store with clothing worth $230. She is due in court on April 22.
Drug and weapons charges filed Derrick Turner, 50, of the 8100 block of West 87th Street, Hickory Hills, faces felony drug and gun possession charges following an investigation that led to his arrest at his house at 8:50 p.m. March 21. Police said he was charged with three counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver after hundreds of narcotic pills were found in his residence. They included 195 alprazolam pills, 175 with hydrocodone and 60 methadone pills, according to reports. He was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. Turner was held for a bond hearing. Evergreen Park
Retail theft • Valleria Brown, 49, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft at 7:32 p.m. March 20 in Walmart, 2500 W. 95th St. Police said she took 46 items, including clothing, hangers and towels, with a total value of $352.40. • Jasmine Hare, 26, of Chicago, was charged with retail theft at 12:33 p.m. March 22, in Walmart, 2500 W. 95th St. Police said she took a cellphone adapter worth $39.88.
DUI charge Steven Pacholski, 24, of Palos Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol at 4:32 a.m. March 20 following a
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Public indecency charge Ronald Shaw, 53, of Chicago, was charged with public intoxication and public indecency at 4:10 p.m. March 19 in the 2700 block of West 87th Street. Police said he was stumbling around in the street, annoying motorists, and urinated in the intersection.
Child pornography Jason Jeffries, 34, of Alsip, faces felony charges of possession and dissemination of child pornography, after he was arrested at 6:02 p.m. Feb. 11 at his home in the 11800 block of South Komensky Avenue. Police said the man previously had been convicted of aggravated sexual abuse and was charged following an investigation culminating with the execution of a search warrant at his house.
Drug possession Mark Oliver, 27, of Whiting, Ind., was charged with possession of a controlled substance following a traffic stop at 9:15 p.m. March 22 in the 3500 block of West 87th Street. Police said four Tramadol pills, a prescription pain medication, were found in the car, along with two pipes and three straws used to ingest drugs. He was also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia.
Hickory Hills Retail theft
Margaret M. Luzzi, 54, of the 8800 block of Roberts Road, Hickory Hills, was charged with one count of retail theft following her arrest at 10:07 a.m. last Thursday at the Hickory Hills Deli & Liquor store, 8824 S. Roberts Road. Police responded to a request by store officials asking that Luzzi be arrested because she had returned to the store after allegedly stealing two items the day before. Surveillance cameras had shown her taking a $125 bottle of hand cream off a shelf and leaving the store, police said. Staff also accused her of taking a bottle of liquor but she wasn’t charged due to lack of evidence. No court information was available.
License charges • Tod A. Todd, 45, of the 9900 block of South Luella Avenue, Chicago, was charged with driving on a suspended license following a traffic stop at 4:11 p.m. March 24 in the 7700 block of West 95th Street. Police said was also cited for expired registration. He is due in court on May 3. • Barry Bass, 33, of the 8900 block of Parkside Avenue, Oak Lawn, was charged with driving on a suspended license at 8:06 p.m. Saturday in the 8800 block of West 87th Street. Police said he was also cited for having one headlight. He is due in court on May 3. • Labrenda Reed, 31, of the 10000 block of South Hill Terrace, was charged with driving without a valid license following a traffic stop at 5:05 p.m. Friday in the 8700 block of South 80th Court. She was also cited for having no front license plate. She is due in court on May 3.
Oak Lawn DUI charges • Jose Gutierrez, 27, of the 3000 block of West 190th Street, Lansing, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop at 12:50 a.m. March 21 in the 8800 block of South Cicero Avenue. Police said he was also cited for improper lane usage, and illegal transportation of alcohol. An open bottle of tequila was found in the car, they said. He is due in court on May 9. • Michael A. Neary, 38, of the 8500 block of West Walnut Avenue, Orland Park, was charged
with DUI and possession of cannabis at 1:08 a.m. March 20 at 95th Street and Southwest Highway. Police said he registered a .207 blood-alcohol count on a breath test, and 27 grams of cannabis were found in the car. He was also cited for speeding 48 mph in a 30 mph zone, and improper lane usage. He is due in court on May 6. • Kenneth McNally, 45, of the 9700 block of South Harlem Avenue, Chicago Ridge, was charged with DUI at 1:15 a.m. March 24 at 95th Street and Melvina Avenue. Police said a preliminary breath sample registered a .62 blood-alcohol count. He was also cited for speeding, and illegal transportation of alcohol because police said an open bottle of cognac was in the car. McNally is due in court on May 2. • Michael A. Neary, 38, of the 8500 block of West Walnut Avenue, Orland Park, was charged with DUI and possession of cannabis at 1:08 a.m. March 20, at 95th Street and Southwest Highway. Police said he registered .207 blood-alcohol count on a breath test, and 27 grams of cannabis were found in the car. He was also cited for speeding 48 mph in a 30 mph zone, and improper lane usage. He is due in court on May 6.
Outstanding warrant Dandra D. Smith, 24, of the 1300 block of Mackinaw Avenue, Calumet City, was arrested on an outstanding warrant at 11:30 p.m. March 31 in the 10100 block of South Cicero Avenue. Police said the warrant was for failure to appear in court on a domestic violence charge. He was also cited for expired registration. Court information was not available.
License charges • Luis E. Irizarry, 40, of the 3200 block of West Fulton Boulevard, Chicago, was charged with driving on a revoked license and no insurance at 4:30 p.m. March 21 in the 9700 block of Southwest Highway. He is due in court on May 2. • Jason M. Ringo, 30, of the 10400 block of Palos West Drive, Palos Park, was charged with driving on a revoked license and possession of cannabis following a traffic stop at 4:40 p.m. March 20 in the 6300 block of West 99th Street. Police said 2.3 grams of cannabis were found in the car, and a pipe used to smoke it. He was also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia and using a cellphone while driving. He is due in court on May 13.
Retail theft Police are seeking a suspect wanted for retail theft and battery that occurred at 2:26 p.m. March 22 in Jewel-Osco, 9424 S. Pulaski Road. A store security guard reported seeing a man take two bottles of tequila and leave with them hidden in his jacket. When he followed the man out, and stopped him, the suspect struggled with the officer and injured his hand. The man then fled in a white van, with a woman who also attacked the officer. Police lost sight of the vehicle, but traced its license plate to a 57-year-old man with a Tinley Park address.
Drug possession Khalil Quran, 23, of the 5500 block of West Alexander Place, Oak Lawn, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance following a traffic stop in the 6400 block of West 92nd Street. Police said two hydrocodone and alprazolam pills were found in the car. He was also cited for possession of drug paraphernalia because police said a rolled bill with drug residue on it was also found. He is due in court on May 6.
Catalytic converters stolen Several catalytic converters were reported stolen on March
21 and 22 in the village. One was taken off a Chevrolet Cavalier between 1 p.m. March 20 and 9 p.m. March 21 in the 4900 block of West Harnew Road, and another was removed from a second Cavalier in a lot in the 10400 block of South Keating Avenue between 10:30 .m. March 21 and 11:30 a.m. March 22. A catalytic converter was also taken off a Toyota Sienna in the 9200 block of South 55th Avenue between 6 p.m. March 20 and 11:30 a.m. March 21.
Palos Hills Weapons charge against juvenile A male juvenile was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and drug equipment after he was involved in a car accident at 6 p.m. March 23 at 114th Street and Southwest Highway. Police investigating the crash reported finding a stun gun and a glass pipe used to smoke marijuana in the juvenile’s car.
Obstruction charge Sabrina Elmore, 32, of Robbins, was charged with obstructing justice and possession of cannabis following an incident at 7 p.m. last Thursday at 103rd Street and Roberts Road. Police said she parked in a handicapped zone, and upon questioning her, they detected the smell of marijuana coming from her car. They said she initially provided a false name, and a bag containing marijuana was found in the car. She is due in court on April 28.
Criminal trespass to a vehicle Peter Arellano, 27, of Mokena, was charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle following a report of suspicious activity at about midnight Saturday at 103rd Street and Charles Avenue. Police said that a man reported seeing Arellano enter a van parked in his driveway, and then run away when he yelled at him. Arellano was found several blocks away, and arrested after a short foot chase. He is due in court on April 12.
Retail theft involving a minor Scott Summerfield, 22, of Burbank, was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and retail theft following an incident at 4:30 a.m. Sunday at a gas station at 103rd Street and Harlem Avenue. A male juvenile who was with Summerfield was also charged with retail theft and illegal consumption of alcohol. The gas station attendant identified them both as the two people who had just run out of the store with a stolen case of beer. Summerfield is due in court on April 28, while the juvenile was charged and turned over to a guardian.
Thefts reported • A man told police that an unknown person stole his backpack containing several prescription medications when he briefly put it on the ground in the 9000 block of South 84th Terrace at 5 p.m. March 22. The victim said that he put the bag down to throw garbage in a dumpster, and when he returned it was gone. • A 2015 Toyota Camry reported missing from the 9900 block of South Walnut Terrace at 9 a.m. March 22 was found by detectives later the same day in the 8400 block of West 86th Street. The owner told police that $56.86 was also charged to a credit card that was in the car.
Police report information is provided by law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proved guilty in court.
Area police departments Chicago Ridge Evergreen Park Hickory Hills Oak Lawn Palos Hills Worth
425-7831 422--2142 598-4900 499-7722 598-2272 448-3979