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 78-year-old man was robbed as he watered the front lawn of his home near 47th and Komensky.

The incident occurred at 5:35 p.m. Friday, July 19. The victim told police that a robber snatched a gold chain off his neck and ran away. He described the criminal as a white Hispanic man age 25-28, 6'0 and 200-220 pounds, wearing a black baseball cap.

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GET UP TO $1,000 CASH FOR YOUR ANONYMOUS CRIME TIPS from Cook County

Crime Stoppers! We don't need your name, just your information. CALL ANYTIME 1-800-535-STOP (7867). Callers to Cook County Crime Stoppers do not give their names, just their information. Crime Stoppers forwards information to the proper law enforcement agencies for action. To protect their anonymity, callers are assigned a code number, which is their code for calling back with more information or to ask about their reward. Crime Stoppers does not know the name of any caller. If the anonymous information leads to an arrest, the caller is eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

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Two thugs robbed a pair of West Lawn men at gunpoint on the street at 72nd and Central Park.

The crime occurred at 2:45 a.m. Saturday, July 20. According to the victims, ages 31 and 35, the crooks walked up and asked if they were in a gang. One of the offenders then pointed a pistol at the head of one of the victims.

The victims were robbed of their cell phones, a gold chain, a wallet and $120 cash. They described the criminals as white Hispanic men 5'6 to 5'7 and 150-175 pounds. One had short black hair; the other had long black hair and facial piercings.

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Want to join your neighbors in a public show of strength against crime? Take part in the National Night Out Against Crime, set for Tuesday, August 6. Mark your calendar and make plans to participate! Click here for details.

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A 17-year-old Garfield Ridge boy who police said appeared intoxicated was arrested for criminal trespass to a vehicle after he was found in another person's 2007 GMC SUV parked near 60th and Austin.

Police said that at about 4:15 a.m. Friday, July 19, a neighbor saw the teenager in the vehicle and detained him when he tried to flee. Police responding confirmed from the vehicle's owner that the boy had no business in the vehicle.

The CPD incident report did not say how the boy, who lives near 58th and Narragansett, gained entry to the vehicle.

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Burglars pushed in a window air conditioner at a home near 60th and Kilbourn, crawled inside and stole a laptop computer, a DVD player, a PlayStation 3 and 10 video games, assorted jewelry and $500 cash.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 32-year-old man, when he came home from work at 4:55 p.m. Friday, July 19.

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

in Beat 813 or 833 (see map), come to West Lawn Park at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 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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Burglars pried open the back door of a home near 58th Place and Pulaski and stole assorted jewelry and $9,500 cash, according to the victims, a 55-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman. One of the victims reported making a recent withdrawal of $8,000 cash from a bank. The crime was discovered at 7:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 17, according to a CPD incident report.

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Burglars forced open the back door of a home near 81st and Kirkland and stole assorted jewelry, as well as a lawn mower, a grass trimmer, a weed trimmer, a leaf blower and assorted auto repair tools.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old woman, at 2:50 p.m. Wednesday, July 17. She told police that when she left the house at about 11:45 a.m., she saw a suspicious-looking "Jeep-like" black car on her block.

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Burglars entered the back window of a home near 83rd Place and Knox and stole a laptop computer, two cameras, two iPods, an iPad, a Nintendo DS and 10 games, assorted jewelry, and a camcorder.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 44-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 5:50 p.m. Wednesday, July 17. A neighbor told police that he had seen seen a black SUV with two men in the victim's driveway at about 2:00 p.m., but did not call 911.

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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, August  1. 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 forced open the service door of a garage near 54th and Kenneth and stole a weed trimmer, an air compressor, a tool box with tools, and four rims. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 28-year-old man, at 7:45 a.m. Tuesday, July 16.

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Burglars entered a home near 59th and Kostner and stole a necklace, a ring, and several jars containing loose change. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 79-year-old woman, when she came in from gardening in her yard at 12:20 p.m. Tuesday, July 16 and saw the front door open. She told police that she was uncertain if she had locked the door.

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Burglars opened the overhead door of a garage near 49th and Komensky and stole a lawn mower, a bike, a ladder and a trampoline. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 40-year-old woman, at 3:45 p.m. Monday, July 15 when she heard her garage door opening, went out to investigate and saw it ajar by two feet.

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Burglars forced open the overhead door of a garage near 47th and La Crosse and stole two bicycles and a power washer. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old woman, at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 15.

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Burglars entered the unlocked service door of a garage near 64th Place and Springfield and stole a lawn mower, a ladder, a grass trimmer and two car vacuums. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 48-year-old woman, at 8:00 a.m. Monday, July 15.

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