Crime News Update

Editor's note: The crime news reported by the Southwest Chicago Post---taken directly from Chicago Police Department incident reports---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. May all of us also remember that a person charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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A 20-year-old West Lawn man was arrested in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 28 after he allegedly impersonated a police officer and robbed a 35-year-old West Lawn man on the street in front of 5833 South Lawndale.


According to police, Thomas M. Considine III is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48-4 on Thursday, July 12.

Police said the incident occurred at about 3:00 a.m. Police were searching the area for thugs in a black SUV who had just smashed the windows of several parked vehicles, when they said they came upon Considine's beige 2007 Buick Lucerne near 58th Place and Lawndale. A red-and-blue flashing strobe light was on the dashboard, and Considine appeared to have curbed another car.

Police reported they saw Considine at the curbed car, talking with the driver. Considine was dressed in a police vest and wore a duty belt with handcuffs, police badge and an expandable baton. He had a pistol tucked into his waitband.

When approached by police, Considine allegedly said, "I'm with the Sheriff's Department."

Police at the scene ran a computer check on the Lucerne's license plate and found the auto registered not to the Sheriff, but to Considine.

Increasingly skeptical, police reportedly asked Considine about his law enforcement credentials. He then allegedly said, "I'm with the Cook County Sheriff's Correction Board" and stated he was with the CIU. When police asked what the CIU is, he allegedly responded, "The Confidential Informant Unit."

When backup units arrived, police ordered the 35-year-old man out of his car and took him into custody---to get him away from Considine. The man claimed that Considine presented himself as a police officer and confiscated his driver's license and cell phone.

Considine then allegedly said to police, "I'm one of you. I'm here to help you." He also reportedly claimed he knows where a local street gang hangs out.

He was then arrested by police and taken to the Eighth District station for processing. His hand gun turned out be a BB gun, and his badge was counterfeit. Further, police said that Cook County Sheriff's staff confirmed that Considine is not employed by them in any capacity.

Considine's car was impounded by police, who also confiscated his vest, badge, duty belt, BB gun, baton, handcuffs, police-style flashlight, red-and-blue strobe lights, and black baseball cap.

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The aftermath of a grand opening party for an auto parts store in Vittum Park saw a 41-year-old Clearing man stabbed and a 34-year-old truck driver from Bloomingdale arrested for aggravated battery, just before 1:00 a.m. Sunday, July 1.

Both Chicago and Forest View police were on the scene.

Christopher R. Sobanski allegedly stabbed the victim with a pocket knife after an argument over the location of his car keys.

Sobanski reportedly told police he attended a grand opening party for an auto parts store near 47th and Laramie, became intoxicated and left. He came back later but was told to stay away, he said. According to police, others at the party moved his car, parking it on the street; but would not give him his keys.

While speaking with Sobanski, police became aware of a man lying in an alley behind 4715 South Laramie, calling for help. The man was bleeding; and police say Sobanski admitted to stabbing him.

The victim was transported to Mount Sinai Hospital.

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A thug ran up to a 76-year-old West Lawn woman walking on the sidewalk in front of the O'Reilly Auto Parts store at 6800 South Pulaski and snatched a garnet cross on a gold chain off her neck, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 30. He fled on foot in an unknown direction.

The woman described the robber to police as a white Hispanic man, 18-21 years old, 5'8 and 140 pounds, light complexion, wearing a red shirt and blue jeans.

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Burglars entered a garage near 52nd and Natchez and stole a lawn mower, a weed trimmer, assorted tools, and a homemade computer system.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 45-year-old man, at 6:30 a.m. Friday, June 29, when he entered his garage via the service door and noticed the overhead door open. He told police he could not recall if he locked the garage door.

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Burglars pried open the front door of a house near 66th and Kildare and stole two TVs with DVD players, a bicycle and three bottles of vintage whiskey.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old man, at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, June 30.

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Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 812 (see map above), come to the Clearing Branch Library at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 11. If you live in Beat 814, come to the Vittum Park Fieldhouse at 7:00 Thursday, July 12. Hear updates on crime in your neighborhood and learn how you can work with neighbors and police to make the community safer and better for all.

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