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 threw a large rock through the front glass door of Masters Pancake House, 5265 South Cicero, and stole about $3,000 worth of steak, sausage, bacon and chicken.

5265 South Cicero

The crime was discovered by a Vittum Park woman who drove by at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 30 and saw the break-in. The restaurant's owner told police that the meat had been delivered just the day before, and that the criminals had fled out the back door. Detectives were said to be reviewing surveillance video.

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Do you live in Archer Heights and want to help build a safer and stronger community? Please consider joining the neighborhood watch committee of the Archer Heights Civic Association. Easy work, minimal time commitment. Great chance to meet like-minded neighbors who care about the neighborhood, just as you do! For full details, attend the next AHCA meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 8 at the UNO Veterans Memorial Campus, 47th and Kildare, or call the AHCA at (773) 843-2232

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Burglars pried open the overhead door of a garage near 68th and Keeler and stole a radio boombox and two tool boxes filled with hand tools.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 30-year-old man, at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 30.

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Burglars removed a padlock on the door of an attic near 49th and Kedvale and stole a PlayStation 3 video game console and a Cricket computer tablet.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 40 year-old woman who lives on the first floor of the building, at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 30. She told police that she rents the attic for storage and was leading another tenant of the building to the attic to retrieve some of her belongings, when she made the discovery.

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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), come to St. Symphorosa School at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 8. 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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Burglars broke the lock off the service door of a garage near 55th and Springfield and stole a bicycle.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 42-year-old man, at noon Monday, April 29.

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A 23-year-old man told police that a gangbanger attacked him and slashed at his sweatshirt while he was in front of his home near 54th and Linder.

The attack reportedly occurred at about 11:45 p.m. Monday, April 29. The man said that two people---an 18-year-old gangbanger he knows and an unknown white woman age 20-25---pulled up in a dark blue Ford Explorer. The man exited the vehicle and reportedly asked the victim if he was in a gang. The victim reportedly said he is not, and the woman in the vehicle then reportedly told the offender to cut the victim.

At that point, the victim told police, the offender began slashing at his sweatshirt, cutting it. When the victim's mother came outside, the offender reportedly fled into the vehicle and sped away with his accomplice.

The victim told police approximately where he thinks the male offender lives (the vicinity of 53rd and Monitor). The CPD incident report said the offenders are still at large.

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Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live

 in Beat 814 (see map), come to Vittum Park at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 9. 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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A 22-year-old West Elsdon man told police he was robbed by two thugs as he rode his bike on a sidewalk near 55th and Kildare.

The crime occurred at 9:15 p.m. Monday, April 29. The offenders reportedly stopped the victim. The victim said that one hit him in the head with a pinch bar and the other held his hand to his waist, implying he had a weapon, as he said "I have a gun. Give me your money."

The victim said he handed over $20 cash, and the offenders fled south on foot. They are described as white Hispanic boys/men age 16-20. One about 5'5 and 125 pounds; the other 5'10 and 150 pounds. Both have brown eyes, short black hair, medium complexion. The shorter offender has eyebrow piercings.

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Burglars pried open the side door of a home near 77th and Komensky and stole a PlayStation 3 video game console and games, an iPad and assorted jewelry.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 36-year-old woman, at noon Monday, April 29, when she came home from visiting friends and saw her home ransacked.

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Burglars broke into the side door of a house near 52nd and Kenneth and stole two TVs and a lockbox with passports and other personal papers.

The crime was discovered by the victim's aunt, a 54-year-old woman, who was in the basement when the crime occurred at about noon Monday, April 29. She heard the commotion on the main floor and telephoned her niece, a 32-year-old woman, who was at work at the time. The victim then called 911 to report the crime.

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