Copper gutters and downspouts continue to be targeted by thieves, who have been ripping down large sections of late. Ascension Church, 808 S. East Ave., was hit twice last week. Between April 4 and 7, 80 feet of gutter, valued at $600, was stolen off the church. Around 6 a.m., April 10, police allegedly observed Dwight Looney, 43, of 626 N. Albany, Chicago placing an object behind a parkway tree on the 800 block of East Avenue. Police say it was a 7-foot section of copper downspout bent several times and crushed. The section reportedly matched the length of downspout taken off the north side of the church.
Overnight April 7, some 136 feet of copper gutter, valued at $500, was stolen off the Dole Branch Library, 255 Augusta Blvd. There were also reports of small sections, valued between $200 and $250, being taken off houses on the 300 blocks of North Euclid and Elmwood.
Oak Park Police Commander Clemet Harbour said the thefts, which are a classic crime of opportunity, aren’t likely to stop soon.
“We just took one guy out of commission,” said Harbour. “I’m sitting here looking at teletype reports from other municipalities. It’s happening all over.”
Armed robbery
Police arrested Raymond A. Grant, 17, of 1037 Elgin Ave., Forest Park, on the 3100 block of Flournoy in Chicago, the morning of April 8. Grant was reportedly identified in a photo lineup on March 24 as the person who committed an armed robbery on the 700 block of South Oak Park Avenue on March 23.
Shortly before 2 p.m. April 11, a man approached an Oak Park woman in the 200 block of Ontario and stated, “I need money, I got a gun.” The man showed the woman a 4-inch knife, and said “I need $200.” The man, who told his victim his name was “Terrance,” then escorted the woman to a supermarket where the woman withdrew $200 from an ATM.
Battery
Dianteih Brown, 29, of Chicago was charged with two counts of domestic battery after she allegedly punched her ex-girlfriend during an argument on the 100 block of Harrison Street, then pushed the woman’s friend when she came to her aid.
Aggravated assault
The evening of April 7, a woman exiting an elevated train at the Marion Street Green Line station was accosted by three women, one of whom displayed a 4-inch pocketknife, then held it to the woman’s chin before they fled.
Burglary
Someone kicked in the basement door of a home on the 1100 block of Rossell Street the afternoon of April 8 and stole gold and diamond jewelry valued at $2,300.
During the day, April 13, someone ransacked two apartments on the 1100 block of South Oak Park Avenue and took a laptop computer valued at $1,200.
Burglars pried the deadbolts on two garages, overnight April 10, on the 200 block of South Home and the 200 block of Clinton. They took loose change from cars parked inside. Two nights later, six garages were broken into in the same manner, including garages on the 300 block of Home Avenue, the 500 block of South Kenilworth Avenue, the 600 block of Clinton Avenue and two on the 400 block of South Grove Avenue. A total of $1,475 in valuables was stolen.
A laptop, $400 cash, a U.S. passport and digital camera were stolen from a vehicle parked overnight, April 12, in the alley behind the 300 block of Lathrop Avenue.
The night of April 6, 30 CDs were stolen from a car parked on the 7400 block of Augusta Boulevard.
Battery
Police arrested Travis McFadden, 17, of 26 Mason Ave., Chicago at his home the night of April 9 for an alleged battery on the first block of Madison, which occurred April 6.
Obstructing a police officer
Chase D. Carpenter, 18, of 709 S. Oak Park Ave., who was allegedly riding a bike with no lights, was stopped in the alley behind his residence shortly after midnight, April 7, by police investigating a burglary. Police say Carpenter became combative while being questioned.
Criminal damage to property
Police say two men followed an Oak Park man home from his job site to the alley behind the 6000 block of Roosevelt Road around 1 a.m., April 14. The two then exited their car and threw bricks, smashing the rear and side windows of the car.
Someone broke the window of a car on the 200 block of North Marion Street, April 9-11. The side window of a 2006 Cadillac, valued at $1,000, was smashed overnight, April 10.
Overnight April 7, someone broke a side widow of a car on the 900 block of Wisconsin and stole an in-dash stereo. Total loss was estimated at $950.
Suspicious person
Panell Sullivan, 34, was allegedly observed looking into cars on the 200 block of Ashland Avenue around midnight April 11. Panell, who denied doing so, was reportedly in possession of a flashlight and kitchen knife. He was arrested for reportedly being in possession of a crack pipe.
Theft
Thomas D. Marlette, 38, allegedly stole 13 packages of anti-acid medication, valued at over $150, from the Jewel, 7525 Lake St., the night of April 7.
Four teens took 15 thermal T-shirts, valued at $150, from a beauty supply store on the 6000 block of North Avenue, the afternoon of April 11. When the store owner attempted to stop one of the thieves, she was pushed down to the ground twice.
Aggravated DUI, bad driving
Kenneth Dean, 43, of 5827 W. West End, Chicago was allegedly speeding on the 400 block of South Ridgeland Avenue around 7:30 p.m., April 9, when he veered into the parking lane to avoid rear-ending a squad car. He proceeded to drive over the sidewalk 15 feet before entering the parking lot of Billy’s Fruit Market at Ridgeland and Madison. After determining that Dean was driving on an expired license and had no insurance, police took him to Oak Park Hospital for treatment. Dean allegedly battered two hospital employees attempting to treat his injuries. Dean reportedly claimed he had a diabetic seizure; however, a police officer standing watch over Dean heard another explanation.
“He told ER staff he’d used heroin a half hour before,” said Commander Clemet Harbour.
These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Oak Park and River Forest police departments from April 7 to April 14. Not all incidents that occurred are listed. Anyone named in reports has only been charged with a crime and cases have not yet been adjudicated.
-Compiled by Bill Dwyer
