‘This is mine now’ (but not for long)
On March 18, around 4:50 p.m., an 18-year-old Oak Park man told police he was inside the library when a 16-year-old male juvenile asked to use his cellphone. The victim agreed and handed it over. The juvenile then said, “This is mine, now.” The victim tried to take the phone back and struggled with the would-be thief, who was assisted by a second teen. The victim successfully regained his property and the two offenders fled the library. Police stopped them in the 800 block of Lake Street. After the victim identified them, they were arrested for attempted theft and released to their parents.
Felony sex abuse arrest
A 62-year-old Oak Park resident was arrested and charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a class 2 felony, following an investigation that began in early February of this year. The suspect hired the alleged victim, a female juvenile, to do odd jobs in and around a multifamily home he owns in the 500 block of Park Avenue in River Forest. He appeared for a bond hearing on March 21 at the Maybrook courthouse.
Unreturned rental car recovered
Hertz Rent-A-Car, on Madison Street in Oak Park, reported a grey 2013 Nissan was not returned at the agreed-upon time on March 7. After several days, Chicago police located the missing sedan without incident; it was found in the 5500 block of Shields in Chicago.
Garage burglar steals racing bike
During the night of March 15-16, someone pried open a garage in the 1000 block of Clarence Avenue and relieved the resident of a specialized men’s blue Allez racing bicycle worth ,350.
Criminal damage arrest
Oak Park police arrested 28-year-old Chicago man from the 5300 block of Carpenter Street on March 17, and charged him with criminal damage to property, which occurred in the 400 block of Lombard Avenue.
Bike stolen from rack
On March 18, someone stole a men’s black 26-inch Jamis bicycle with a rear luggage rack, from the bike rack to which it was locked in the 1000 block of Humphrey Avenue. The bike’s estimated value was 65.
Auto theft
A black 2003 Chevy Cavalier, parked in the rear of property in the 300 block of Wisconsin on March 18, was reported stolen.
Burglar nabs laptop, wallet
Someone pried open the front door of a residence in the 1100 block of Kenilworth Avenue, March 18-19. Once inside, the unknown offender stole approximately 50 worth of items, including a laptop computer and a Gucci wallet containing the victim’s keys and identification.
Driving while wanted
Police stopped a 27-year-old man from the 1400 block of South Hamlin Avenue, Chicago, March 19, after seeing him violate a posted “No Right Turn On Red” sign. A check of his name showed he had a suspended license, two prior convictions for driving on a suspended license, and an active arrest warrant out of Aurora for criminal damage to property. Santiago was arrested and charged, this time with aggravated driving on a revoked license.
Old Navy thief gets away
Workers at Old Navy in the 400 block of north Harlem, called police, March 19, following a theft. Reportedly a man in his 40s, approximately 5 feet 11 and 220 pounds, wearing a black hat, black jacket, plaid shirt, dark pants and carrying a black bag, hid two packages of white Fruit of the Loom V-neck shirts inside his jacket and left without paying for them.
River Forest boy caught with weed
Police arrested a 15-year-old River Forest boy, March 19, in the 200 block of North Scoville Avenue, after he was found in possession of 1 gram of a green, leafy substance that tested positive for cannabis. He was processed and released to his parents.
—Amy Malina
