Local Crime Roundup

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post 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 and southern 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 Sector 1. May all of us work together diligently to keep it that way.

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Three teenage boys were arrested for aggravated assault and criminal damage to a vehicle at 1:35 p.m. Thursday, March 29 at Ford City Mall, 7601 South Cicero.

The trio---a 13- and 14-year-old from Englewood and a 13-year-old from Chicago Lawn---allegedly threw bricks and smashed the windshield of a truck that was stopped at a stoplight near 76th and Cicero.

The truck driver, a 42-year-old man from Kankakee, was not injured because he ducked behind the console just before the windshield was smashed.

After throwing the bricks, the three fled east into the mall. When police arrived to investigate, the trio was spotted walking out of the mall's south entrance. When the truck driver pointed them out, police gave chase as the boys fled back into the mall. They ran through the mall and fled out a north entrance, where they were apprehended by police, Ford City security staff, and an off-duty police officer.

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Burglars pried open the rear door of a home near 49th and Keeler on Tuesday, March 27 and stole about $300 in cash after ransacking a bedroom.

A 24-year-old resident of the home discovered the burglary when she came home at around 7:00 p.m. that evening.

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A woman walking into her garage near 54th and Kilbourn at 10:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 27 surprised three burglars who were in the middle of stealing her wallet from her car.

Upon seeing her, the three burglars threw open the overhead door and fled down the alley. The victim could only describe the offenders as three male Hispanics. 

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All Southwest Side residents are invited to a Chicago Police burglary prevention seminar set for 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 21 in the first-floor auditorium of Daley College, 7500 South Pulaski.

Police officers leading the seminar will explain in detail how burglars typically operate: how they choose which home or garage to burglarize----and they will offer a number of practical steps everyone can take to minimize their risk of being a burglary victim. 

Admission and parking are free.

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