Win $10,000 at St. Joseph Parish Fest

A drawing with a $10,000 grand prize is part of this year's Parish Fest at St. Joseph Parish, 5641 S. 73rd Ave., Summit. (Just a half block west of 56^th and Harlem.)

The Grand Raffle also boasts a second prize of $5,000 and a third

Someone will win. How about you?

prize of $1,000.

Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased this week through the rectory, 7240 W. 57th St., Summit.

Winning tickets will be drawn at 9:30 p.m. Sunday, June 9 at the carnival. Winners need not be present.

Only 2,000 tickets will be sold. If less than that are sold, prizes will be pro-rated accordingly.

The St. Joseph Parish Fest starts Thursday, June 6 and runs

through Sunday, June 9. In addition to great live entertainment, event features thrilling carnival rides, fun games of skill and chance, and a food tent will offering such traditional carnival treats as hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, pizza, Italian beef, tacos, tamales and corn-on-the-cob. Cotton candy, ice cream, soda and water also will be available. The beer tent will be open as well.

During the carnival run there will be special ride offers, including a four-day “unlimited rides” wristband.

All St. Joseph parishioners are welcome to attend, as well as everyone in the larger community.

For more information on the Grand Raffle or the event in general, call St. Joseph Church at (708) 458-0501.

# # #

CPD Alert: West Lawn Girl Missing

Update at 9:10 p.m. Thursday, May 30:

CPD reports that Jennifer Garcia has been located and reunited with her family.

No further information from CPD.



Here is an alert just released by the Chicago Police Department:


MISSING PERSON

Date: 5/29/2013
Case #: HW294574
Last Name: GARCIA
First Name: JENNIFER
Age: 16
Gender: FEMALE
Height: 505
Weight: 110
Eyes: BROWN
Hair: BLACK
Complexion: MEDIUM
Race: WHITE HISPANIC
Date of birth: 13-JAN-1997
Date of last contact: 28 MAY 2013
Scars, marks, tattoos: NONE


ABOVE SUBJECT MISSING FROM THE 3600 BLOCK OF WEST 57TH PL.


MISSING SUBJECT WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A BLUE VARSITY JACKET WITH WHITE SLEEVES, DARK BLUE JEANS AND SKY BLUE VANCE GYM SHOES.


THE MISSING SUBJECT IS KNOWN IN THE AREA OF 1800 N WASHTENAW AVE.

ANY INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 911.

# # #

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.

* * *

A 42-year-old Clearing man was arrested yesterday and charged with attempting to rob the

Charles Simek

7-Eleven at 5953 West 63rd Street.

Charles Simek of 6134 South Mason is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 151 West 51st Street, on Tuesday, June 4.

Simek allegedly walked into the convenience store with a

Simek in custody.

black-handled knife and demanded money from a clerk, a 27-year-old Clearing woman. The clerk told police that she replied that she had no money, and then the robber walked out and fled in an unknown direction.

A short time later, when police were on the scene investigating, Simek allegedly walked back into the store. The clerk positively identified him, and an off-duty suburban police officer, along with Eighth District police, took him into custody in the 7-Eleven parking lot.

Still of Simek from a dashboard camera.

Police said they suspect that Simek may have been intoxicated. A witness at the scene described Simek as "hammered."

In 2009 Simek was arrested for criminal trespass to a residence after he was allegedly knocking on doors and bothering people in Oak Lawn.

(Editor's note: Our gratitude to SWCP reader and Garfield Ridge resident Chuck Dryden for capturing and sharing the two on-scene images presented here, as well as providing other information about the incident.)

* * *

An alert neighbor who saw something and said something, coupled with a quick response by Eighth District Police, led to the arrest of a West Lawn gangbanger on burglary charges.

Emanuel Garcia, 33, of 3609 West 70th Street, is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 151 West 51st Street, on Friday, May 31.

Emanuel Garcia

Police responding to a "burglary in progress" call to a residence near 59th and Hamlin at 9:23 a.m. Friday, May 24 said they noticed the home's side door forced open.

When they entered the home, they said they saw Garcia standing at the top of a stairway. He allegedly attempted to flee, but was apprehended. Police said they searched him and found five pieces of gold jewelry, as well as $1,000 cash--all belonging to the homeowner, a 56-year-old woman who was at work at the time.

Police also reportedly found marijuana on Garcia, as well as a pair of handcuffs, a handcuff key, and a six-point security star. He was positively identified by the neighbor, a 29-year-old woman.

The victim told police that Garcia had knocked on her door at about 8:00 a.m. that morning, before she left for work. She said he claimed that he had seen her marked work vehicle parked in front of her house, and that he was searching for a job. She said she sent him away and told him to apply for a job at her office, not her house.

She also said she received a "strange" call on her cell phone a short time later, from a number she did not recognize. While Garcia was in custody, police asked her to dial the number of the caller. When she did, Garcia's cell phone rang, police said.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 815 or 821 (see map), come to St. Bruno School (south entrance) at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 5. 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.

* * *

At least four offenders used a ladder to scale a back fence and steal an undetermined

4556 West 63rd Street

number of tires and rims from the Medina Tire Shop, 4556 West 63rd Street.

According to surveillance video, the crime occurred at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday, May 22. The crime was discovered later that morning by an employee who arrived at work and saw about 40 rims stacked by the back fence.

* * *

A 40-year-old Clearing man was beaten by two thugs with baseball bats as he sat in his work truck near 62nd and Menard.

The crime occurred at 9:10 p.m. Wednesday, May 22. The two attackers jumped out of a black Mercedes-Benz, smashed a window of the truck and started hitting the victim, who suffered bruises to his head and minor cuts to his left arm.

The criminals, wearing ski masks, then fled in the Mercedes, driven by an accomplice. They were described only as men 5'5 to 5'8 in height. The victim told police he suspects the attack may have stemmed from a personal dispute he has with co-workers.

* * *

A furnace was reportedly stolen from a vacant house near 53rd and Lawndale; but the property manager, a 52-year-old Berwyn man, told police he can't figure out how it happened. All windows and doors were reportedly closed and locked when the man made the discovery at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 22.

* * *

Burglars forced open the back door of a house near 86th and Komensky and stole $200 cash and assorted jewelry.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 38-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 22 and discovered that her ADT alarm had been pulled off the wall and loose change strewn about the back yard.

* * *

A 21-year-old West Lawn gangbanger was arrested after he allegedly threatened another man with a hammer.

Michael Boese was arrested at 11:35 p.m. Sunday, May 26 after he allegedly got into an argument with a 30-year-old West Lawn man as the two were standing near Top View Restaurant, 4715 West 63rd Street. Police said that Boese is an admitted gang member.

The victim told police that Boese said "I'm gonna f~ck you up" while brandishing a hammer. The victim said he responded by spraying mace in Boese's face. Police arrived, and Boese was taken into custody.

* * *

Burglars forced open a rear basement window of a house near 79th and Kildare and stole a

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laptop computer, a tablet computer, a Kindle reader, two wristwatches, a camer and a small safe with personal documents inside.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 35-year-old man, when he came home from work at 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 22.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 834 (see map), come to Bogan High School at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 6. 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.

* * *

An 18-year-old woman from West Lawn told police she was robbed of a gold chain while she was walking on a sidewalk near 60th and Kostner.

The crime occurred at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. She said a thug approached her and said "Give me your sh~t." When she refused, he grabbed the chain off her neck and ran away east on 61st Street.

The victim was scratched on her chest, but refused medical attention.

The robber is described as a white Hispanic man age 20-25, 5'8 and 130 pounds, light complexion, brown eyes, straight black hair in a pony tail, at least one piercing on his face, wearing a white t-shirt with a yellow design, black shorts and black Nike gym shoes.

* * *

A 19-year-old West Elsdon man walking his dog near 56th and Kolin was robbed of his cell phone and iPod by two thugs.

The crime occurred at 7:40 p.m. Friday, May 24. The victim told police that one of the robbers said "You know what time it is. Give me your money." When the victim refused, one of the criminals grabbed him from behind and got him in a chokehold while the other went through his pockets.

They then ran away north on Kolin. They are described as white Hispanic males age 15-19, 5'6 to 5'7 and 120-130 pounds, brown eyes, one wearing a black hoody and the other wearing a gray hoody with a Blackhawk logo on it.

# # #

Police Alert: Missing Man from West Lawn

Update: According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, the body of Mr. Contreras was found.

Details at:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-body-of-west-lawn-man-found-floating-in-lake-michigan-20130604,0,5340623.story

Our condolences to his family and friends.

~ ~ ~

Released this evening by the Chicago Police Department.

MISSING PERSON
Date: 5/28/2013
Case #: HW293306
Last Name: Contreras
First Name: Christopher
Age: 22
Gender: Male
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 150
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Complexion: Olive
Race: Hispanic
Date of birth: 12 Feb 1991
Date of last contact: 27 May 2013
Scars, marks, tattoos: Unknown

The above subject missing from the 3900 block of W. 60th Place in Chicago IL. Missing last seen wearing a green sweater and blue jeans. Subject sent text messages which indicated that he maybe suicidal. The family believes that the text messages were generated from the vicinty of Randolph and Lake Shore Drive. Missing frequents and is employed in the area of Hubbard and Clark St. in the 18th District.

If seen or located please contact the Chicago Police Department at 312-747-8380.

# # #

City Says It Acts to Cite Overweight Trucks

Big trucks---18-wheelers and other behemoths---occasionally lumber up and down Southwest Side residential streets that are not built to handle their heavy loads. Most city side streets have a five ton (10,000 pounds) load limit that truckers know about, whether or not

signs are posted.

These trucks can seriously damage side streets, often in ways not immediately apparent. A transportation study conducted about a dozen years ago stated that one 80,000 pound truck can damage a road as much as 900 cars do. Heavy trucks cause stress to the pavement; and those stress fractures can expand over time, especially with the freeze/thaw/extreme heat cycles we have in Chicago.

A few months ago, Clearing homeowner Kathy Owsianiak began having the same problem on and around her street, in the general vicinity of 63rd to 65th Street, in the blocks east of Narragansett. Although she has lived in that area for 27 years, she said that semis parading down her side street is a new thing.

So she contacted city government and got the all-too-familiar runaround. No action, no action, oops we have no record of your call/what's your name again?, no action, no action, and so on and so forth.

The Southwest Chicago Post caught wind of the situation and offered to assist.

We contacted City Hall and started asking questions. We got ahold of the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, which is home to the city's Truck Weight Enforcement Unit. According to BACP, "(The unit uses) trucks equipped with portable scales. If they believe a truck is overweight and in violation of a load limit for a particular street or bridge, they will pull the vehicle over and weigh it. The program will have generated approximately $1,400,000 in fines for 2012. Their primary mission is to ensure trucks are operating within the scope of the law with regards to public way street and bridge load limits. In addition to staff enforcing this program on a daily basis citywide, they also respond to complaints."

We told BACP about the reported violations occurring in Clearing and put the question to them:

so what are you going to do? To their credit, they quickly sent a crew out and noticed that a "5 Ton Limit" sign was missing from a street corner. They then got the Chicago Department of Transportation to install one.

Then, according to BACP, for the next five weeks "a Truck Weight Enforcement Unit monitored the area of Austin to Narragansett between 63rd Street and 65th Street on 23 occasions. As a result of this initiative, 12 citations were issued to trucks trying to take a short cut through a residential area posted as a No trucks over 5 tons allowed. We will continue to monitor the area to bring down the number of violations to a minimum."

During the process, 13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn jumped in and called Kathy Owsianiak to let her know he was on it, too, and that he had asked Eighth District Police to keep an eye on the situation.

Finally, a few days ago, Kathy told us "Just wanted to let you know that today my husband saw a truck pulled over by one of the weight management vehicles near 65th and Narragansett. He also caught a semi trying to come down Mobile last week. He stood in the street, waving his arms and pointed to the new weight limit signs. The truck ended up turning down 63rd Place. One by one, hopefully, we will eliminate this problem."

So it looks like city government is doing its job. If so, our praise to the Emanuel Administration for that.

But we can't tell for sure, if only because BACP has refused our requests to ride along with them.  "I need to let the inspectors do their job without trying to schedule something to accommodate a meet up," a BACP spokesperson told us.

Well, that's weird, because just about every other department of city government will let reporters tag along to watch them in action. If you're using public dollars to enforce laws and serve in the public interest, wouldn't you want the public to get a glimpse of the good work you're doing?

So as a fallback position, we told BACP that we did not need to ride along. Just tell us where  the BACP Truck Weight Enforcement Unit will be and when, and we'll watch them from a distance.

No answer from BACP.

Any time government says "No, you can't watch what we do. But trust us, we're the government," that raises red flags for us. Hopefully, for you too.

Anyway, if you think that big trucks are violating load limit regs on your side street, speak up and let City Hall know about it. Also, let your alderman know and the Eighth District CAPS Office. We pay taxes for these enforcement services. Let's use them.

# # #

Route 66 Bus Tour Tickets Now Available

Southwest Side historian and Garfield Ridge resident Ed Kozak will lead a bus tour of a portion of historic Route 66 (the section between Bloomington-Normal and Springfield).

Kozak on a Route 66 remnant.

Sponsored by the Garfield Ridge Civic League, the trip is scheduled for Saturday, June 29. The motorcoach will leave at 8:00 a.m. (assemble at 7:40 a.m.) from the parking lot of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and School, 5259 South Major, and return at about 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are $40 per person.

According to Kozak, the trip will include about 24 points of interest in and near the Central Illinois towns of Towanda, Normal, McLean, Atlanta and Lincoln.

There will be an early-afternoon lunch stop at a local restaurant (the meal is not part of the $40 ticket price).

The motor coach seats about 55 people and is currently about half reserved. The tour is expected to sell out.

By the late, legendary Route 66 artist Bob Waldmire.

To make a reservation and learn more information, call (773) 585-0624, evenings.

According to the Route 66 Association of Illinois, "Route 66 is probably the most well known road in this country, if not the world. Created in 1926, along with the rest of the federal highway system, it existed until 1985 when it was formally decommissioned and replaced by interstate highways. In the time between, it earned a home for itself in the hearts and memories of people across the country. And that place can never be taken by an interstate highway. The road passed through eight states: Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Illinois was the first state to have its section completely hard surfaced. And it was the first state to replace the old road with the interstate."

# # #

Eighth District Police Host First-Ever Online CAPS Meeting; More Are Coming

While online meetings are nothing new to the business world, the Chicago Police Department dipped its toe into the water Thursday night with the Eighth District's first-ever online

McNaughton types and watches the chat on a big screen

CAPS meeting.

Though just four people chose to register (via the CPD website) and participate in the event, Commander David R. McNaughton termed it a success in some ways.

"Really, we did this just to see if it works (from a logistical and technological standpoint), and it does," he said. "From there we will move forward."

The online meeting started on schedule at 7:30 p.m. and ended at 8:04, about 10 minutes ahead of time.

The topic of discussion, as determined ahead of time by CPD, was graffiti.

There was no audio or video. The experience was akin to an AOL chat from about 10 years ago, according to one of the four participants.

Questions were screened by Sergeant Allen Cain of the Eighth District CAPS Program, and then forwarded to McNaughton for reply.

A view from behind the big screen during the event.

McNaughton participated from the station's community room, immediately after a District Advisory Council meeting he attended. Several DAC members hung around to witness the event.

While CPD officials initially said that online CAPS meetings are not meant to replace face-to-face meetings, McNaughton left the door open and said such meetings may have value during cold-weather months when some people find it difficult to get out of the house.

Because some of the questions asked about graffiti are common, McNaughton said he hopes to post a transcript of the online meeting on the Eighth District section of the CPD website. "It could be a good online resource for people with questions about any number of topics," he said.

Other CPD districts are engaged in similar activity. The 15th District on the West Side held an online, districtwide chat on May 13.

McNaughton's vow to move forward was followed up less than 24 hours later, as the commander announced that the next online, districtwide CAPS meeting will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 20. The topic will be gangs, with citizens afforded the opportunity to communicate directly with Eighth District tactical officers.

Instructions on how to register and log in can be found in the SWCP story of May 20.

# # #

Popular Entertainment Acts to Take the Stage at St. Joseph Carnival, June 6-9th

Old favorites and hot new entertainment acts can be found on the main stage lineup for this year's carnival at St. Joseph Parish, 5641 S. 73rd Ave., Summit. (Just a half block west of the Portillo's at 56th and Harlem.)

Taking the stage from 8 to 11 p.m. Thursday, June 6 will be

Rockstar Rodeo, which bills itself as "the Midwest's Number 1 Party Country Tribute Show." Band members boast "This isn’t your daddy’s band. Covering artists like Montgomery Gentry, Keith Urban, Jason Aldean, (and many more) RockStar Rodeo brings country to life in a dancing, drinking, sing along, having the time of your life event, with a high energy delivery you’ve never seen before."

Two bands will get the weekend off to a rocking start on

Friday, June 7. Classic rock cover band Decades (everything from Van Halen to Pink Floyd to Ozzy Osbourne) will play from 6 to 8 p.m., and Maggie Speaks--one of the most popular and eclectic cover bands in Chicago history--will own the stage from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Saturday, June 8 starts off with a smile, as the World's Honkiest Polka Band plays from 3 to 5 p.m. Wide-ranging

cover band Audiomatic (everything from Lady Gaga to Maroon 5 to the Beatles) will shake the stage from 6 to 8 p.m., and cover band Rendition (everything from the Rolling Stones to Pearl Jam to the Dave Matthews Band) plays from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Sunday, June 9 starts with Gypsy Influence, an internationally acclaimed rumba flamenco group, performing from 4 to 6 p.m. Then from 7 p.m. to midnight, the New Invaders ("the ultimate '60s flashback show") will blow the roof off the tent and close out the carnival.

In addition to great live entertainment, the four-day event features thrilling carnival rides, fun games of skill and chance, and a food tent will offering such traditional carnival treats as

hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, pizza, Italian beef, tacos, tamales and corn-on-the-cob. Cotton candy, ice cream, soda and water also will be available. The beer tent will be open as well. A specific food vendor lineup will be announced next week.

During the carnival run there will be special ride offers, including a four-day “unlimited rides” wristband.

All St. Joseph parishioners are welcome to attend, as well as everyone in the larger community.

For more information, call St. Joseph Church at (708) 458-0501.

# # #

Mayor Emanuel Funds Foolishness

In a city where crime spirals out of control in many neighborhoods, yet the mayor claims he can't find funds to

hire enough police...

In a city where the mentally ill walk the streets, off their meds, because the mayor claims he can't find funds to avoid closing mental health clinics...

In a city where gangbangers and taggers deface and damage private and public property every day and night, because the mayor claims he can't find funds to hire enough graffiti-blaster crews...

Mayor Rahm Emanuel does find the resources to fund this nonsense:

Interestingly, the Emanuel Administration is not responding to our request to know how much in tax dollars this debacle is costing, where the funds came from; how these posters and bus/train ads will stop even one teenage boy from getting a girl pregnant; and why, in a time when teen pregnancy is down 33 percent in Chicago, is the Emanuel Administration rolling out a teen pregnancy campaign?

What a mess.

# # #

Raising Awareness and Funds to Help Disabled and Hospitalized Veterans

West Lawn residents (from left) Dawn Ferrarini and Eva Swiercinski brave a wet and unseasonably cold morning to stand up for U.S. military veterans at the 7-Eleven at 55th and Kostner earlier today.

Friends of the Clearing American Legion Post 600, the two raised awareness and funds as part of the annual Poppy Day

drive to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in communities across the nation. The two have been distributing the red crepe paper poppies for the last four years.

Want to help them help our veterans? Stop by the 7-Eleven at 55th and Kostner on Friday, May 24, from 7:00 a.m. 'til early afternoon.

The Southwest Chicago Post thanks Dawn and Eva for their work, as well as all who help out on Poppy Day. You make Chicago's Southwest Side a better place for all!

# # #

Burke Boosts GRNW Turnout; CPD Warns About Ruse Burglaries, Home Fix Scams

Ruse burglaries, home repair scams and graffiti removal were the primary topics of discussion at this month's meeting of the Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch, held at St. Jane Parish's Ward Hall.

A strong turnout---nearly double the usual GRNW audience---was chalked up to the appearance of 14th Ward Alderman Edward M. Burke, featured guest speaker.

"We are grateful to Alderman Burke and his staff for getting the word out via mail to let people know about this event," stated GRNW President Al Cacciottolo. "There were many

people here who have never been to a neighborhood watch meeting before. As successful as we have been with our efforts in the past few years, we know there's always room for growth. So it was great to see and meet new people."

Burke offered introductory remarks praising the GRNW and the larger Garfield Ridge community for its commitment to fighting crime and promoting improvement.

The alderman arranged for three Chicago Police Department officials to follow his remarks with a detailed discussion of ruse burglaries, confidence games and other crimes.

The final speaker, from the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation, talked briefly about the Emanuel Administration's efforts to fight graffiti.

None of the speakers fielded questions from the lectern, but they did stick around after the event for one-on-one questions and discussions.

The Southwest Chicago Post was on hand to capture the featured speakers' remarks on video. Over 30 minutes' worth are posted below, for everyone unable to make the meeting.

# # #

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.

* * *

A 20-year-old Clearing man is set to appear in court on misdemeanor charges of stealing a bicycle from an open garage a block away from his home.

Childress Harrison III of 6416 South Long will appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch

Childress Harrison III

34-4, 151 West 51st Street, at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 17, according to CPD.

He also is set to appear in Cook County Circuit Court in Bridgeview on Monday, June 3 to answer to bail bond violation charges, according to the Cook County Sheriff's Office.

At 5:10 p.m. Wednesday, May 8, CPD responded to a 911 call of a theft in progress near 64th and Lorel. They said that when they arrived on scene, they were met by a 29-year-old Clearing man who said that he saw two men walking with a purple mountain bike near 6416 South Long. Police said he further stated that the two had gone inside the house.

Another person, a 37-year-old West Lawn man, told police that he saw the two offenders take the bike from an open garage on the 6400 block of south Lorel.

Police said they investigated and took Harrison into custody, along with Stafford Williams, 21, of 3622 South State.

The bike was returned to its owner, a 60-year-old Clearing woman, police said.

Police said that Harrison and Williams matched the descriptions given by police dispatchers. Further, they were positively identified by the two witnesses.

* * *

A 25-year-old man from the Northwest Side's Belmont Cragin neighborhood is charged with burglary after he allegedly broke into the Chicago Industrial Catalytic warehouse, 4427 West 45th Street, and stole seven catalytic converters.

Jose Cruz of 2620 North Menard is charged with burglary.

Police responding to a burglar alarm at about 10:40 a.m. Friday, May 17 said they spotted Cruz hiding under a truck backed up to the loading dock. A 49-year-old Cicero man employed at the warehouse told police he did not know Cruz, and the truck had no business being there. The seven converters were found in the truck. The employee identified them as the company's property.

* * *

Two people were taken to Christ Hospital in stable condition after they were stabbed during a family party near 61st and Massasoit.

The crimes occurred at about 10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Police responding to a "battery in progress" call said they saw a group of people outside a home, hollering at each other. They said they saw a 25-year-old Garfield Ridge man with two stab wounds to his body; and inside, a 39-year-old woman of the Massasoit address, also stabbed.

With CFD ambulances on the way, police asked the woman for details on what had occurred. She claimed she was not aware who stabbed her but said it happened while she was trying to break up an argument. Police said that she then became uncooperative and verbally combative with them.

Police noted that all adults at the party seemed to be intoxicated to varying degrees.

Several claimed the person who stabbed the victims is a man who lives at the address, but who apparently fled before police arrived.

Police also said that two of the men at the party are reputed gang members.

* * *

A fight at the Watra nightclub, 4758 South Pulaski, left two men nursing minor injuries.

At about 2:35 a.m. Sunday, May 19, a 23-year-old West Lawn man was on the dance floor when he was hit on the head with a beer bottle by another man.

The attack led to a multi-sided fight that spilled out onto the sidewalk, where a 26-year-old Clearing man was punched in the face.

According to the victims, the two attackers (described only as white Hispanic men) then fled in a maroon Ford Explorer.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 815 or 821 (see map), come to St. Bruno School (south entrance) at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 5. 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.

* * *

A 19-year-old Hearst area woman told police that as she was walking near 48th and Cicero just before 4:00 a.m. Sunday, May 19, she was shot in the head by attackers wielding a BB or pellet gun.

Police interviewed her while she was being treated at Mt. Sinai Hospital. She only described her attackers as three white Hispanic boys or men in a red SUV.

* * *

A 20-year-old Back of the Yards man who told police he was walking home said he was beaten and robbed while walking on a sidewalk near 51st and Kenneth at noon Wednesday, May 15.

He said he was accosted from behind and asked "What you be about and what do you have?" He said he was then hit in the face and knocked to the ground, as one assailant pummeled him and the other went through his pockets.

He said they stole his cell phone and fled on foot. He described them only as white Hispanic boys or men ages 17-20.

* * *

A 40-year-old West Lawn woman who heard a noise near her garage at 2:45 a.m. Saturday,

SWCP public service announcement

May 18 and went to investigate, saw a burglar fleeing with a bicycle and a shop vac.

The burglar apparently broke a window to gain access to the garage near 66th and Central Park.

The criminal is described as a white Hispanic man about 5'8 tall, with long black hair.

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Burglars broke into a garage near 62nd and Springfield and stole two air hammer drills and an air compressor.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 59-year-old man, at 8:00 a.m. Thursday, May 16 when he saw the overhead door off its rails.

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A 33-year-old Clearing man bringing his 61-year-old mother home from a doctor's appointment found her apartment ransacked.

The crime was discovered at 11:45 a.m. Thursday, May 16. The criminals had pried open the front door of the residence near 63rd and Neenah and stolen a TV, a laptop computer and an IPad.

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Burglars forced their way through a back window of a house near 78th and Keating and stole 10 gold rings and chains.

The crime was discovered by a 24-year-old babysitter when she returned to the home at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16 and found the premises ransacked. The victim, a 40-year-old man, was at work at the time.

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Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 834 (see map), come to Bogan High School at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 6. 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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public service announcement

A burglar entered the unlocked rear door of an apartment building near 61st and Kolmar and stole a bicycle and assorted tools from a basement storage area.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 53-year-old man, at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 15. The man told police that he and his 16-year-old son toured the neighborhood and discovered a West Lawn teenager (a former friend of his son) riding the stolen bike. They demanded and got it back without incident.

The CPD incident report gave no indication on whether the tools were recovered.

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A 23-year-old Burbank man told police that he was beaten and robbed by three men on a sidewalk near 79th and Kostner at 10:20 p.m. Wednesday, May 15.

The man said he was walking to work when the crime occurred. He said that he was robbed of his cell phone and a set of keys. He described the attackers as black men age 18-20, 5'8 to 6'0 and 150-180 pounds.

Police at the scene said they saw no evidence of injuries on the man reporting the crime.

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