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.

* * *

An 18-year-old Chicago Lawn man, said by police to be a gangbanger, was stabbed and beaten to death shortly after he got out of his friend's SUV to urinate in an alley near 66th and Kilpatrick at about 1:30 a.m. Monday, September 30.

Jesse Gonzales of 61st and Rockwell died of his injuries at Christ Hospital and Medical Center.

Police responding to a call of a battery in progress said they saw Gonzales lying on the ground in front of 4711 West 66th Street. He had a large laceration to the left side of his head, and police found a bloody, three-foot metal pole on the ground nearby. He also had several stab wounds in his side.

Gonzales' two friends in the SUV, whom police described as admitted gangbangers age 17 and 22, said that the victim was chased by three thugs who saw him in the alley---first north through the alley, then east on 65th Street, and back south on Kilpatrick to 66th Street.

Gonzales' friends did not rush to his aid because one of them has a mobility limitation and did not want the other to leave the vehicle, police were told.

The three attackers are described only as white Hispanic men age 20-29, 5'5 to 6'0 and 160-220 pounds, two with "bald" hairstyles and the third with long hair.

* * *

A 30-year-old Garfield Ridge man scared off two criminals trying to break into a neighbor's garage near 51st and Rutherford. The man told police that he heard loud noises in the alley at about 6:30 a.m. Sunday, September 29. When he went out to investigate, he saw two burglars trying to break into a nearby garage. Upon seeing the man, the two would-be criminals ran away south down the alley. They are described only as 5'5 to 5'7 and 130-155 pounds, one wearing a gray hoodie and the other a black hoodie.

* * *

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. Tuesday, October 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.

* * *

Burglars entered a home near 54th and Kenneth and stole two old BB guns and 25 blank checks. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 66-year-old woman, when she arrived home at 9:30 a.m. Monday, September 30 and found her home ransacked. Entry was apparently made via a rear window, where a torn screen was discovered.

* * *

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

in Beat 812 (see map), come to the Clearing Branch Library at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 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.

* * *

While a 65-year-old man worked in his garage near 57th and Tripp, a burglar snuck in the house via the apparently unlocked back door and stole $150 cash from the victim's wallet. The crime occurred at about 3:00 p.m. Monday, September 30, the victim told police.

* * *

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, October 10. 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.

* * *

Burglars removed a window from the service door of a garage near 68th Place and Springfield, entered the garage and stole a medical bag with basic health monitoring equipment, and Army uniform and helmet, a car radio, a bicycle, a shovel and a rake. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 67-year-old woman, at 6:30 a.m. Monday, September 30.

advertisement

advertisement

# # #