Eighth District Police Chase, Bust Two South Siders on Catalytic Converter Rap

This statement was released by CPD earlier this evening:

CHICAGO – Chicago Police charged two men on the City’s South Side after they

Erik S. Gholson

were arrested with stolen auto parts in their possession.

Erik S. Gholson, 31, of the 7700 block of S. Constance, was charged with one count of felony Burglary, one count of felony IVC – Aggravated Fleeing, and four additional misdemeanor traffic violations; Failure to Stop at Stop Sign, Negligent Driving, Driving on Suspended License, and Uninsured Motor Vehicle.

Marshawn Green, 20, of the 11800 block of S. Emerald, was charged with one count of felony Burglary.

On Thursday, January 31, 2014, at approximately 2:45 a.m., Chicago Lawn (8^th) District officers were patrolling near the 4800 block of S. LaCrosse Avenue when they observed a Jeep Liberty double-parked in the roadway.  As they approached to investigate, the officers observed Marshawn Green emerge from underneath a parked vehicle and enter the Jeep.

Officers immediately activated their emergency equipment and attempted to curb the

Marshawn Green

vehicle, which was being driven by Gholson.  The offenders disregarded the officers and after travelling a short distance, exited the vehicle and fled on foot. A brief foot pursuit ensued after which both offenders were placed into custody.

Further investigation led officers to discover several catalytic converters in the offenders’ vehicle.  Based upon other evidence found in the car, officers were able to successfully identify and link several victims to the stolen items.  The offenders were charged accordingly. 

Green and Gholson are scheduled to appear in Central Bond court on February 1, 2014

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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.

* * *

Burglars entered the side door of the Starbucks at 4701 South Cicero, but apparently failed

to steal much.

A passerby reportedly discovered the crime at 3:15 a.m. Friday, January 24. He told authorities that he walked inside to investigate and saw cash register drawers lying on the floor. He flagged down a passing Cook County Sheriff's officer and alerted him to the situation.

Later, a Starbucks manager (a 33-year-old Southeast Side man) told CPD that the coffee shop does not keep cash in its registers overnight, and that the only thing that appeared to be stolen was a tip jar with an unknown amount of cash in it.

* * *

A 23-year-old Archer Heights man was robbed at gunpoint as he worked on his SUV in his garage near 47th and Tripp.

The crime occurred at 6:20 p.m. Tuesday, January 21. The victim said he felt a poke in his back and discovered that he was being held up by a pair of thugs. One of the offenders asked, "Do you want me to run up in your house?" and the victim reportedly said, "No. Take what you want."

The criminals then stole $50 cash and the victim's revolver, which was in a cabinet in the garage. They then fled on foot, west on 47th Street. One robber is described as a white man, 5'10, light complexion, wearing a red hoody and a black ski mask. The other is described as a white Hispanic man, 5'9 and 180 pounds, olive complexion, wearing a black hoody and a black ski mask.

* * *

A 52-year-old West Elsdon woman told police that three young thugs robbed her as she walked on a sidewalk near 56th and Kostner at 6:00 p.m. Thursday, January 23. She said they pushed her to the ground, punched and kicked her, stole her purse (which contained $20 cash, credit cards and IDs) and fled on foot. She refused medical attention and described them as white Hispanic boys age 16-18, 5'6 to 5'11 and 140-170 pounds.

* * *

A 36-year-old Clearing woman told police that she was robbed in the parking lot of Ford City Mall, 7601 South Cicero, at 2:40 p.m. January 4. She reported that she was shopping in Old Navy when a man who appeared to be concealing a weapon in his pocket ordered her and her two children (ages 5 and 7) outside.

She complied and was robbed as she arrived at her van. Stolen were a computer tablet, a pair of earrings, and her purse (which contained $100 cash, a debit card and ID cards).

She described the robber as a white Hispanic man age 35-36, 5'6 and 200 pounds, brown eyes, light complexion. She did not report the crime until Thursday, January 23, explaining that she was afraid and hesitant to come forward.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 64th Place and Hamlin and stole a lawnmower and assorted tools. The crime was reported to police by the victim, a 35-year-old man, at 9:57 a.m. Thursday, January 23.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 84th and Scottsdale and stole an

undetermined amount of belongings in boxes. They also dented and scratched a 2006 Mercedes Benz auto parked inside. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 25-year-old man, when he went to get a snow shovel from the garage at noon Tuesday, January 21.

* * *

Burglars entered an unlocked garage near 45th and Kilpatrick and stole a grass trimmer, a snow blower, an electric saw and other tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 66-year-old man, at 8:00 a.m. Monday, January 20.

* * *

A 32-year-old Vittum Park woman told police that burglars entered her home near 48th and Leamington and stole an Xbox 360 video game console, as well as 10 video games. The crime reportedly occurred some time after 1:00 p.m. Monday, January 20. The woman told police she thought the offenders entered via a rear window, although police reported that there was no sign of forced entry and that they saw no footprints in the snow near the window.

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Hale Theatre Friends Hosting Fundraiser

The Friends of Hale Theatre will host a fundraiser from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. Saturday, March 8 at the Des Plaines Valley VFW Post 6863, 7256 West 63rd Street, Summit.

There will be food, an open bar, entertainment and dancing, fun contests, and raffles for such prizes as Chicago White Sox tickets, a flat-screen TV and more.

Local businesses and individuals interested in donating additional raffle prizes are encouraged to do so. Donors will be recognized and thanked during all 2014 shows.

Hale Theatre Company

Admission tickets are $35 at the door, $30 in advance, $5 for children age 10 and under (accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket). To purchase tickets, contact any member of the theater company or call (773) 616-9911.

For additional information about the event, send an email to friendsofhtcchicago@gmail.com.

The fundraiser is listed on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/761408193873194/.

The Southwest Chicago Post encourages all Southwest Siders to support local theater. We agree with the American Association of Community Theatre statement: "Community theatre enriches the lives of those who take an active part in it, as well as those in the community who benefit from live theatre productions. On either side of the footlights, those involved represent a diversity of age, culture, life experience, and a strong appreciation of the importance of the arts."

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CPD Seizes $1 Million Worth of Pot at Home in the Ashburn Neighborhood

Information just released by CPD at 12:57 a.m. Sunday, January 26:

Chicago Police conducting a narcotics investigation made a

Miguel A. Briseno

large seizure on the city’s South Side on Saturday. A man faces felony drug possession charges in connection to the incident which yielded a combined recovery of cannabis with an estimated street a nearly $1 million dollars.

Miguel A. Briseno, 22, of the 3600 of W. 82nd Place, was arrested and charged with one count of felony cannabis possession.

On January 14, 2014, Deering (09th) District tactical officers conducted an investigatory traffic stop in the 4300 block of S. Princeton which led to the recovery of nearly two pounds of cannabis.

 Further investigation enabled officers to develop information about a large cache of narcotics being stored at a residence in the 3600 block of W. 82nd Place. A subsequent search and surveillance culminated in the recovery of approximately 350 pounds of cannabis on January 25, 2014. The total value of recovered cannabis is estimated at $1 million.

Briseno is scheduled to appear in bond court on January 26, 2014.

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St. Richard School to Host Open House

Looking for a great Catholic elementary school, close to home? If you live in Archer Heights or West Elsdon, you're in luck!

Check out the flyer just sent to us by our friends at St. Richard School. Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 2 and attend their open house...

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St. Joe's Open House Set for Sunday

Parents of children ages 2 through 13 are invited to attend an open house, kicking off Catholic Schools Week,  beginning at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, January 26 at St. Joseph School, 5641 South 73rd Avenue, Summit (a half block west of 57th and Harlem).

The school’s principal, teachers, alumni, parents and students will be on hand to welcome all prospective students and parents, offer tours and serve complimentary refreshments.

"St. Joseph School, with its smaller class sizes and strong track record of academic success, is something we are very proud of," stated Principal Lawrence Manetti. "Our school gives children an advantage that lasts a lifetime---a firm foundation that prepares boys and girls for the rigors of high school and beyond."

"St. Joseph School also provides a safe, friendly environment for our children to learn and grow," he added.

Information packets about the 2014-15 school year, including the Caritas Scholarship Program, will be available. Registration will be accepted.

"Catholic Schools Week this year begins our registration period. We will also be hosting a number of events in February for families interested in St. Joseph School," Principal Larry Manetti said.

St. Joseph School offers a Christ-centered education for boys and girls in kindergarten through eighth grade, as well as three- and four-year-old preschool.Before- and after-school care are offered to accommodate the needs of working parents.

Children at the school have access to a wide variety of extra-curricular activities, including basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, band, choir, chess club, Girl Scouts and more.

The school serves children and parents in St. Joseph Parish (which includes the northern section of Summit and the western section of Chicago’s Garfield Ridge neighborhood), and also welcomes children from a number of other areas, including suburban Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Justice, Willow Springs, Lyons and other communities.

For more information, phone Principal Lawrence Manetti at (708) 458-2927.

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Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce Members Offering Great Coupon Deals

Our friends at the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce have sent us this news release:

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The Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce has pulled together coupons from various local businesses as part of our Shop Local campaign.

Why Shop Local?

When you spend money in your community, it helps to support your local school, social services, libraries and more. Locally-owned businesses return about 80 percent of each dollar back into the community. Local businesses hire local employees, pay city taxes, and purchase supplies and services from other locally independent companies.

 

As business owners, we understand the importance of stretching the value of a dollar and have put together a coupon flyer for our community residents and visitors. These coupons offer various discounts from a wide range of businesses in the area. Flyers were distributed through the local grade schools in the Clearing and Garfield Ridge area.

Coupons are also available at the following libraries, free of charge: Garfield Ridge Library at Archer/Narragansett, Clearing Library at 63rd Place/Narragansett and Archer Heights Library at 5055 S Archer.

 

There are more than 25 businesses featured in the coupon flyer. The coupon flyer can also be picked up at Alderman Quinn's office at 6014 South Central or Alderman Zalewski's office at 6247 South Archer. Local banks have copies for free at First Personal Bank, MB Financial Bank and Archer Bank (6859 West Archer).

You may also contact the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce office at 6165 S Archer to pick up your free copy.

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Or you may simply click on the image below to get the coupons on your screen.

As a public service, we at the Southwest Chicago Post are posting the coupons, at no charge to the Garfield Ridge Chamber of Commerce. Rest assured that no local newspaper or online news service supports our local business community more than we do!

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CPD Alert: Missing Girl from Clearing

Just released by CPD this afternoon. Please keep your eyes and ears open, and call detectives promptly if you have useful information.

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 56-year-old West Lawn man is in custody after he allegedly robbed the Walgreens at 7045 South Pulaski.

Jerry R. Badon of 3733 West 66th Street is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit

Jerry R. Badon

Court Branch 48, 155 West 51st Street, on Thursday, January 23.

Badon allegedly walked into the store at 9:32 a.m. Thursday, January 16, approached a cashier (a 27-year-old Chicago Lawn man) with his hand in his coat pocket and said, "I'm about to make your day very bad. This is a stick-up. I've got a gun. I want you to put all the money in the bag. Put it on the counter and walk towards the back of the store. Don't make a commotion."

The cashier did as instructed, putting nearly $600 cash in a plastic bag. As he passed the camera counter, he told a co-worker (a 44-year-old West Lawn woman), "I just got robbed. He said he had a gun." The co-worker and an assistant manager (a 44-year-old Scottsdale man) then followed the robber out the door and captured a cell phone image of the license plate on his car, a black Honda.

Police responding to the incident ran a plate check and traced the vehicle to Badon. They drove to his house, and police said that Badon's wife let them in, reportedly saying that Badon was in the basement. Police said he matched the description provided by Walgreens' staff, he was taken into custody and positively identified by the cashier. His car was impounded.

* * *

Six elementary school students (three boys and three girls) were arrested and charged with burglarizing a home near 55th and Tripp at 3:24 p.m. Wednesday, January 15. Two neighbors told police they saw the sextet (five 13-year-olds and a 14-year-old) enter the house and leave with two bags and assorted items.

The neighbors pointed police in the direction of a hardware store at 4222 West 55th Street, where the teens were found and apprehended. Police said the bags contained various electronics items and music CDs that belonged to the victim, a 44-year-old man. The items were returned, and the victim signed a complaint.

The six teens are all students at Pasteur School, 5825 South Kostner, according to police.

* * *

A 46-year-old Chicago Lawn man is in custody after allegedly burglarizing a garage near 61st Place and Hamlin.

Charles Burnett of 3121 West 71st Street was arrested by police in the garage after the homeowner, a 28-year-old man, told police that he saw Burnett in the garage after hearing an alarm go off at about 11:45 p.m. Sunday, January 12. Police said the garage's service door had been kicked in.

* * *

A 33-old North Side man told police he was robbed by two men near 57th and Pulaski at 1:40 a.m. Sunday, January 19. He said that one of the two robbers brandished a knife and ordered him into their blue Chevy Caprice. They then reportedly drove into a nearby alley, where the punched the victim in the face and stole his cell phone, wallet and $180 cash before speeding away in an unknown direction.

The victim, who refused medical attention,  described the attackers only as white Hispanic men age 20-30.

* * *

A 19-year-old Brighton Park man was arrested after he allegedly forced open the service door of a garage near 64th and Mayfield. Nicholas M. Garrity was apprehended after a brief foot chase by police at 12:07 a.m. Sunday, January 12. The victim, a 25-year-old man, told authorities that he heard an alarm in his garage and saw two men running out. Nothing was stolen, the victim said, but the contents of the glove box in his 1998 Nissan were strewn about the floor.

* * *

Burglars entered the rear door of J & M Chateau, 3904 West 47th Street, and stole $1,070 cash. The crime was discovered by an employee, a 27-year-old South Side woman, when she arrived for work at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 10 and saw that the lock of the door was broken.

* * *

Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 55th and Massasoit and stole a lawnmower. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 24-year-old woman, at 12:20 a.m. Friday, January 17.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 61st and Springfield and stole a GPS unit from an unlocked vehicle inside. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 49-year-old man, at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 18.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the back door of a home near 65th and Kenneth and stole two computers, various credit/debit cards, and a butcher knife. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 59-year-old woman, when she returned from a coin laundry at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, January 18. A neighbor told police that he saw two white Hispanic men circling the block in a red pickup truck at about the time of the crime.

* * *

Burglars entered the front door of a home near 53rd and Hamlin and stole two TVs, a DVD player, two Kindles and assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 59-year-old man, when he came home at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 17.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 64th and Keeler and stole a large assortment or power tools and hand tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 50-year-old man, at 9:00 p.m. Thursday, January 16.

* * *

Burglars entered the kitchen window of an apartment near 63rd and Hamlin and stole a TV and three CDs. The crime was discovered by a 16-year-old boy at 8:45 p.m. Monday, January 13, when he woke up after sleeping through the crime.

* * *

Burglars smashed through a glass door at Pepe's Mexican Restaurant, 4820 South Cicero, slammed a cash register on the floor and made off with an undisclosed amount of cash. The crime was discovered by police responding to an alarm at 10:28 p.m. Monday, January 13.

* * *

Burglars entered the unlocked front door of a home near 62nd and Nagle and stole $175 cash from a location in the living room. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 53-year-old woman, at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 11. The victim told police that she had left the door unlocked while she was outside, taking down Christmas decorations.

* * *

A 40-year-old West Elsdon man told police that someone entered his home near 56th Place and Springfield and stole his black and white "teddy bear"-style dog. The crime reportedly occurred at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 14. The victim told police that he had locked all doors before he left home, but authorities saw no sign of forced entry.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 51st and Narragansett and stole a lawn mower, two bicycles, a toolbox with tools, and six car speakers. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 39-year-old man, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, January 11. There was no sign of forced entry, police said.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the back door of a home near 66th and Springfield and stole two pistols, a computer and assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 54-year-old man, when he came home from shopping at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, January 11. A neighbor told police that she saw a gold-colored truck in the alley at about time the crime occurred.

* * *

Burglars forced open the back door of a home near 52nd and Lawler and stole assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 33-year-old man, when he returned from a vacation to Mexico at 7:41 p.m. Monday, January 6, although he did report the crime until five days later.

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Has Testing of Children Gone Too Far? Come to Kennedy HS and Learn About It

Has standardized testing of our children gotten out of hand?

Is it a reasonable way to measure academic progress or has it become "counterproductive and a lucrative business that violates our children's civil rights," as increasing numbers of parents and teachers are saying?

Interested in learning more?

Mark your calendars for 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 30 at Kennedy High School, 56th and Narragansett, and attend a meeting sponsored by the SWside Parents Alliance, a group that describes itself as "proactive parents from our Southwest Side neighborhood schools organized to raise awareness of issues affecting public education. We are parents from Grimes-Fleming, Hale, Byrne, Kinzie, Ray, Young, Kelly and Curie. Please join us!"

Admission is $5 per person. Special guest speaker, plus the screening of "Standardized," a thought-provoking film about this important issue.

Check out the trailer for the film.

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CPD Issues Alert: Attempted Kidnapping of 10-Year-Old Girl Near 51st and Kildare

Just released this afternoon by Chicago Police:

Archer Heights Civic Association is a "Legendary" Group, Governor Says

Governor Pat Quinn served as guest speaker at Wednesday

night's meeting of the Archer Heights Civic Association, held at the UNO Veterans Memorial School, 47th and Kildare.

Quinn also installed the AHCA's new slate of officers, calling the group "legendary" as an established, effective organization that works to make the community a better place.

The AHCA honored several of its longtime officers, including outgoing Treasurer Ellie Fudasz, outgoing Corresponding Secretary Darlyne Delaney, and former President Stanley Lihosit.

In a refreshing break with politics as usual, Quinn did not deliver a political stump speech, but instead offered some brief but profound thoughts on the importance of citizen involvement in a democracy---praising the AHCA and its members as strong examples of ordinary men and men working together to build and maintain a great community.

The Southwest Chicago Post was there to capture the moment.

With continued frigid temperatures in the air and plenty of potentially dangerous black ice on the ground, meeting attendance was at about 50, less than half of what the popular neighborhood group would expect under better conditions.

The Archer Heights Civic Association, one of the oldest and most successful community organizations in Chicago, is beginning its 76th year of service in making the neighborhood one of the very best in the city.

According to a statement released by the AHCA, "Governor Quinn is no stranger to the Archer Heights Civic Association and has come to civic association meetings several times throughout his political career. The AHCA first became familiar with Patrick Quinn in the 1980’s when he came out to speak as the head the Coalition for Political Honesty. Then in 1982, Quinn came before the AHCA as a candidate for Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Tax Appeals and after winning that election, came again to talk about the “Citizens Utility Board” that he was instrumental in creating. Later, Patrick Quinn came to every “candidates night” that we held when he ran for state treasurer (1986), and again in 1990 when he was successfully elected to that position and once more in 1995.  He also came to AHCA during his campaign for United States Senate (1996), and for lieutenant governor in 1998. Then in 2002 Patrick Quinn again came to Archer Heights during his successful campaign for lieutenant governor.  Upon the resignation of Rod Blagojevch, Quinn assumed the governor’s position, was reelected in 2010, and now becomes the first sitting governor to come to our civic association."

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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 12-year-old bucket boy was robbed on the street in front of the Clarion Hotel at 7353 South Cicero at 1:35 p.m. Friday, December 27. The victim told police, "I was just beatin' on my bucket" with a 15-year-old fellow street performer when three thugs approached. One hit him in the head and stole $17 cash from his pocket before running away south on Cicero. The other bucket boy also was hit in the head, but was not robbed.

The boys refused medical attention, and police transported them back home to West Englewood. The robber is described as a black boy age 17, brown eyes, short black hair, dark complexion, wearing a black hoody and blue jeans. The two with him were described only as black males.

Bucket boys, viewed by some as enterprising street musicians trying to make an honest dollar and by others as a nuisance and even swindlers, have appeared on an increasing number of streets in the city in recent years. (Video below for illustration purposes only. This is not the victim.)

* * *

A 37-year-old Chicago Lawn man has been charged with the murder of an 18-year-old Scottsdale woman that occurred at a house party near 63rd and California at 10:15 p.m.

Adan Montano

Monday, January 6.

Adan Montano faces one count of first degree murder, police said. The victim, Stephanie Serrano of 83rd and Komensky, was stabbed several times, including in the eye and armpit. She was taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after 11 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office.

* * *

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, January 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.

* * *

A 28-year-old woman from Athens, Georgia was robbed as she sat on a westbound CTA bus near 55th and Kostner at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, January 4. The woman was headed to Midway Airport to catch a flight and was seated near the back door of the bus, texting on her cell phone, when two criminals snatched the phone and bolted from the bus. The robbers are described as black boys age 17, 5'9 to 5'10 and 180 pounds, black hair, dark complexion.

* * *

A 27-year-old Alsip man was robbed at knife point by a man who gave him a ride in his car. The crime occurred at the west edge of Ford City Mall, 7601 South Cicero, on New Year's Day. The victim had offered the man $12 to drive him home. The offender then pulled a knife and took $20 cash from the victim, before driving away south on Cicero in a small, dark car. The offender is described as a black man age 35-40, 5'8 and 160 pounds, brown eyes, black hair, light complexion.

* * *

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An 18-year-old gangbanger was shot, apparently by a rival gang member, as he walked on a sidewalk in front of 3717 West 81st Place at 11:15 a.m. Monday, December 30. The victim told police that the shooter appeared to be an Arab man, with no other description provided. 

After being hit twice in the left arm and once in the left side of his stomach, the victim fled on foot, eventually finding a Streets and Sanitation truck near 82nd and Lawndale and asking for help. The crew member, a 56-year-old South Side man, called police. The victim was transported via CFD ambulance to Christ Hospital.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 61st and Kostner and stole an air compressor and two cases of beer. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 40-year-old woman, at 3:30 a.m. Thursday, January 2. She explained to police that she had not locked the service door to the garage, because the lock freezes in winter.

* * *

Burglars won't enter your house via your basement windows ever again, after you install top-quality, made in the USA glass block windows! Click here for details.

* * *

Burglars broke into a home near 56th and Kolmar and stole two watches, assorted jewelry, a money clip and two collectible coins. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 60-year-old man, when he came home from work at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, January 2 and found his bedroom ransacked.

* * *

Burglars forced open the rear window of a home near 56th and Lawndale and stole three laptop computers, a camcorder, an Xbox 360 video game console, and assorted jewelry worth $3,000. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 36-year-old woman, when she came home at 1:23 a.m. Wednesday, January 1.

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