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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Burglars broke through the back door of a vacant storefront and then punched through drywall to get inside the adjacent Ted's Jewelers, 5334 South Archer, sometime between 8:00 and 9:30 p.m. Thursday, October 11.

Once inside, they used a blow torch in an unsuccessful attempt to open the store's safe.

The owner, a 53-year-old woman, arrived on the scene at 10:30 p.m. and told police that it appeared that nothing of value was missing.

Police said they were attempting to see if a security camera mounted in the back of a nearby dental office captured images of the crime.

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A burglar alarm apparently scared off a criminal attempting to break into a home near 64th and Normandy at about 11:20 a.m. Thursday, October 11.

Police arrived on the scene within minutes. The offender had fled but had damaged the back door and broken a door window.

The victim, notified by the burglar alarm company, came home and said nothing was missing from his home.

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A 26-year-old Garfield Ridge man was stabbed during a fight on the sidewalk in front of the Orion restaurant and bar, 5772 South Archer.

The incident occurred at 3:06 a.m. Sunday, October 14.

The victim and a friend---a 26-year-old Lemont man---got into an argument with five to six men who approached on foot. After some brief hollering and shoving, the victim said he heard the rear window of his car---a 2010 Nissan Maxima---being smashed.

The offenders then fled south on foot. Shortly after, the victim realized that he had been stabbed during the shoving. He was treated by CFD ambulance and transported to Christ Hospital and Medical Center.

The offenders were described as white Hispanic men in their 20s.

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Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 53rd and Linder and stole an air compressor.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 74-year-old man, at noon Saturday, October 13.

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An approaching car frightened off three thugs who were attempting to rob a 50-year-old Brighton Park woman as she walked on a sidewalk near 47th and Springfield at 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 12.

One grabbed her from behind, another tried unsuccessfully to grab her wallet out of her hands, and a third acted as lookout. They ran away south on Springfield when the car drove by.

The victim described one as a white Hispanic boy, 16-17 years old, short black hair and light complexion, wearing a black North Face jacket and blue jeans.There was no significant description of the others.

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A 21-year-old West Elsdon man was robbed of his cell phone as he walked on a sidewalk near 53rd and Springfield at 9:54 a.m. Friday, October 12.

He told police he was approached by a thug who said "Give me your cell phone. I have a gun."

The robber was described as a white Hispanic man, 23 years old, 5'11 and 170 pounds, light complexion, shaved brown hair, wearing a gray hoodie and blue pants.

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A 24-year-old West Elsdon man was robbed of his cell phone, wallet and book bag as he walked on a sidewalk near 57th and Karlov at 1:25 a.m. Saturday, October 13.

Two criminals approached on foot, brandished a gun and a knife; and after committing the robbery, they met up with two other men. The four then ran south toward 59th Street.

The victim described them as white Hispanic men ages 20-24, wearing hoodies.

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Two crooks robbed a 45-year-old Scottsdale man as he walked home after shopping at a convenience store at 79th and Karlov at about 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 11.

The thugs walked up to him at 79th Place and Karlov. One pulled a small silver pistol and ordered the victim to put down his bag and empty his pockets onto the sidewalk. The victim complied. The criminals picked up his belongings and then ran south on Kedvale.

Stolen was a cell phone, wallet and $1,500 cash, the victim claimed to police.

The robbers were described as black men ages 20-24. One is 5'7 and 130 pounds; the other is 5'2 and 120 pounds.

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Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 811 (see map above), come to Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 5556 South Merrimac, at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 16. If you live in Beats 813 or 833, come to West Lawn Park at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 23. 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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