Garfield Ridge Civic Members, Guests Attend 'Spontaneous Sunday' Event

Garfield Ridge Civic League President Richard J. Techman (foreground) pauses for a photo with GRCL members and guests at the group's Spontaneous Sunday event held earlier tonight at Danny's Pizza, Archer and Menard. About 15 people braved the return of unseasonably cold weather to break bread and enjoy each other's company in a relaxed setting.

The next regular GRCL meeting is tentatively set for Wednesday, March 18. Full details are expected to be announced soon, Techman said, and will be shared with local news media and posted at garfieldridgecivicleague.org.

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CPD Seizes Guns, Pot in Clearing

Information released by CPD on Friday night:

Chicago Police Search Warrant Renders Drugs and Firearms

Assault Weapon Recovered Along with Seven Other Guns

CHICAGO – Chicago Police have charged a Southwest Side woman after Chicago Police Narcotics Division team members executed a search warrant on the city's Southwest Side on Friday. 

Jessica L. Doherty, 20, of the 6500 block of W. 63^rd Place , was charged with one count of felony Cannabis Possession.

On February 21, 2014, Chicago Police Narcotics officers, acting on information developed through various investigative methods, established a surveillance of a residence in the Clearing neighborhood.  On Friday morning, police executed a search warrant on the 6500 block of W. 63^rd Place .  As a result, officers recovered quantities of cannabis, several rounds of ammunition and eight firearms including an assault weapon, 3 rifles, 2 semi-automatic handguns, a shotgun and revolver.   

Doherty is scheduled to appear in Central Bond Court on February 22, 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.

* * *

A 26-year-old Vittum Park man was arrested and charged with battery after he allegedly punched another man in the head during an argument over a traffic accident.

Mariano E. Moreno of 52nd and Lorel reportedly punched a 27-year-old Garfield Ridge man shortly after they were involved in a crash in front of 5536 South Archer at about 3:00 a.m. Sunday, February 16.

A security guard working at the nearby Bohica Bar & Grill told police that he saw the fight, intervened and detained Moreno for authorities.

The victim was transported by CFD ambulance to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was treated and released.

* * *

A knife-wielding thug robbed a couple as they got out of their vehicle near 52nd and Luna at 2:30 a.m. Saturday, February 15.

The victims, a 34-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man, told police that the robber said "Give me everything you got." They surrendered a Rolex watch, a necklace and $200 cash. The robber then fled on foot northbound through an adjacent alley. He is described as a white Hispanic man age 20-25, 6'2 and 250 pounds, brown eyes and olive complexion.

* * *

Burglars cut through the back fence of a car wash construction site at 54th and Harlem and stole $10,000 worth of scaffolding. The crime was discovered at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 13 by a representative of J & I Builders of west suburban Darien.

* * *

Thieves stole a yellow 2013 Caterpillar front loader from a parking lot at 7600 South Pulaski. According to surveillance video, the crime occurred shortly after 2:00 a.m. Sunday, February 9. The thief was a passenger in a black Chevy Tahoe. After starting the loader, the criminal drove it west on Ford City Drive. The loader included an attached bucket and snow pusher, according to the owners, Beverly Snow and Ice of south suburban Markham. The vehicle is reportedly valued at $50,000.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 50th and Leamington and stole a love seat. the crime was discovered by the victim, a 35-year-old woman, at 6:00 p.m. Friday, February 14.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 67th Place and Lawndale and stole two tool boxes, three rooking guns, three framing guns, a desktop computer and a set of dishes. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 41-year-old man, at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, February 15.

* * *

Burglars pushed in the back window of a home near 45th and Springfield and stole two TVs, welding equipment, assorted tools, and $1,700 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 59-year-old man, at 7:30 a.m. Friday, February 14.

* * *

Burglars entered the unlocked service door of a garage near 84th and Kostner and stole four tires and wheels. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 37-year-old man, when he came home at 7:45 a.m. Thursday, February 13.

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Clear Ridge Baseball, Softball Signup Set for This Saturday, Feb. 15th at Hale Park

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

Clear Ridge Little League, without a doubt one of the Chicago area's (and even the

Midwest's) best youth sports organizations, with a proud and rich history (since 1953!), is holding its registration from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. this Saturday, February 15, at Hale Park, 6258 West 62nd Street.

Plenty of baseball and softball options for boys and girls of all ages, who live between Central and Harlem avenues, 51st to 65th streets.

Check out the flyer below for full details!

Make sure your children are signed up and paid in full!

Before you can say "Snow Be Gone," they'll be in uniform and marching in the Opening Day parade on Narragansett!

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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 group of thieves descended upon the h.h. gregg store in the north end of Ford City Mall, pried open a display case and stole about $15,000 worth of such electronics as iPads, iPods, iPhones and tablet computers.

The crime occurred at 9:18 p.m. Wednesday, February 5. A manager told police that a group of eight to 10 people committed the crime, walking out when they were finished and driving away in three vehicles: a silver Chevy Monte Carlo, a blue Chevy Equinox and a black Nissan.

The offenders are described only as black men and women age 16-38.

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Two Garfield Ridge men have been arrested and charged with stealing a package off the front porch of a home near 62nd and Nagle.

David A. Schreck, 21, of 51st and Mobile, and Timothy S. O'Brien, 20, of 54th and Nordica

David A. Schreck

are scheduled to appear before a judge in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48-4, 155 West 51st Street, on Monday, February 10, according to the Cook County Department of Corrections.

Police responding to a call at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 5 said they saw Schreck and O'Brien on the ground, detained by an off-duty police officer, as well as a Streets and Sanitation official who happened to be passing by.

The off-duty officer said he saw Schreck and O'Brien take the package and start walking north on Nagle and opening the box at the same time. He said he then announced his office and asked the two what they were doing. One allegedly responded, "We're not doing nothing." They then allegedly started to run away toward 62nd Street.

The off-duty officer said he hollered for them to stop and get on the ground. O'Brien complied, but Schreck allegedly refused while asking the officer to show his badge. He also allegedly put his hand in his pocket in a manner that implied he had a weapon, the off-duty officer said.

Schreck had no weapon on him, according to police, and the off-duty officer took him down to the ground and detained him. Shortly after that, he allegedly said, "I won't lie to you. We took that package. We thought there was drugs in it. Can you just take me in the alley, beat me up and let me go? I can't go back to jail."

Police arrived and took the pair into custody. They said they found prescription-strength narcotics on Schreck in a package with another man's name on it. Police confiscated and inventoried the drugs.

The merchandise in the box, equipment valued at about $500, was delivered to its owner, a 37-year-old woman. There were no drugs in the package.

* * *

Burglars pried open the back door of a home near 54th and Kedvale and stole assorted jewelry and $1,000 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 58-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 2:45 p.m. Friday, February 7.

* * *

Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 61st and Kilpatrick and stole two toolsets. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 38-year-old man, at 11:15 p.m. Thursday, February 6. The victim told police he saw two people fleeing the garage, but offered no further description.

* * *

Burglars forced open the front door of a home near 60th Place and Hamlin and stole assorted jewelry, a fur coat, an iPad, a Kindle, an Xbox, two laptop computers and two cameras. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 71-year-old man, when he returned from running errands at 2:30 p.m.Tuesday, February 4.

* * *

Burglars forced open the rear door of a home near 57th Place and Pulaski and stole 10 gold rings, a TV and $2,500 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 72-year-old woman, when she came home from church at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 2.

* * *

Burglars forced open the back door of a home near 73rd and Hamlin and stole $600 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old man, at 8:30 p.m. Sunday, February 2.

* * *

Burglars pried open the back door of a home near 50th Place and Hamlin and stole three laptop computers, two handbags and a piggy bank. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 28-year-old woman, at 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 3. A neighbor told police that she had heard voices coming from the victim's yard, but did not investigate or call police.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the side door of a home near 55th Place and Springfield and stole assorted jewelry, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a watch and two Nintendo video game consoles. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 42-year-old man, at 12:40 p.m. Monday, February 3.

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Mary Colletti Benefit Set for March 2

A fellow Southwest Sider needs your help! Thanks for assisting in any way you can.

A link with more details is at:

http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/friends-of-mary-l-colletti-benefit/75050

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 44-year-old man is in custody after he allegedly robbed the Jewel/Osco at 5320 South

Daniel Moretti

Pulaski at 2:18 p.m. Wednesday, January 29.

Daniel Moretti of 5300 South Pulaski is set to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 155 West 51st Street, on Wednesday, February 5.

According to a Jewel cashier (a 52-year-old woman), Moretti and an accomplice were in her checkout line, just behind a customer. When the transaction neared its end and the cash drawer opened, Moretti allegedly stuck his hand in the till to prevent the cashier from closing the drawer.

He also allegedly claimed to have a gun and reportedly stole $669 cash from the drawer.

The cashier immediately notified store security (a 49-year-old woman and a 62-year-old man), who struggled with Moretti and later told police that he threatened them by saying, "I have a gun, motherf~cker!"

Moretti was detained and taken to the store security office, where he allegedly tried to escape again before being restrained by security staff. Police arrived and took him into custody. The man said by Jewel/Osco to be with Moretti is at large, police said. According to a CPD incident report, $650 was recovered from Moretti, when he allegedly threw it behind a cabinet in the Jewel/Osco security office.

* * *

A 24-year-old Oak Lawn man was shot in the face by a thug with a BB gun, as the victim stood on the sidewalk in front of the Orion Nightclub, 5772 South Archer, at 2:15 a.m. Saturday, February 1.

According to the victim, he and another man (a 22-year-old Garfield Ridge man) were smoking in the alley behind Orion when two thugs walked up, brandished a handgun and demanded money. The Garfield Ridge man said, "I don't have any money." Upon seeing an orange marking on the barrel, the Oak Lawn man said, "That's a BB gun" and swatted it away. The offenders fled on foot, and the two Orion patrons walked around to the front of the nightclub.

Moments later, the offenders returned in a dark silver Mitsubishi auto with custom chrome rims, rolled down a window and fired a shot from the BB gun before speeding away.

The victim was struck in the left cheek and was cut and bleeding from the wound. He was transported by CFD ambulance  to Holy Cross Hospital, where he was treated and released.

The descriptions of the offenders were vague, with none on one and the other said to be a white man age 20-28, 5'5.

* * *

An alert neighbor frightened away a pair of burglars as they attempted to pry open the back door of a home near 46th and Karlov.

The crime occurred at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 30. The victim, a 32-year-old man, was not home at the time. When the neighbor hollered, "Hey! What are you guys doing there?" the two criminals abandoned their attempt and sped away in a black, four-door Volkswagen Passat with temporary license plates. The two are described as white Hispanic men--one age 20-30, 5'7 and 160 pounds, and the other age 30-38, 5'5 and 155 pounds.

* * *

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, February 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.

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A 26-year-old Archer Heights man told police he was robbed at gunpoint as he shoveled snow away from his car, which was parked on the street near 49th and Keating.

The crime occurred at 1:14 a.m. Saturday, February 1. The victim told police that two thugs walked up and brandished blue-steel hand guns, demanding money. He told them he only had $11 cash, which they took before fleeing.

One criminal is described as a white man age 23-28, 5'10 to 6'0 and 180-190 pounds, brown eyes, short blond hair, light complexion. The other is described as a white Hispanic man age 23-28, 5'7 to 5'9 and 150-160 pounds, brown eyes, short black hair, olive complexion.

* * *

A 24-year-old West Lawn man told police he was robbed at gunpoint in his garage near 59th and Kolin at 10:30 p.m. Friday, January 31. The robber took the victim's cell phone and keys to his pick-up truck before fleeing on foot.

The criminal is described as a white Hispanic man age 18, 5'5, brown eyes, short hair, olive complexion. The CPD incident reported noted that the robber is a gangbanger, but did not indicate the basis of that assertion. The victim waited nearly 24 hours to report the crime, claiming he was afraid.

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Burglars kicked in the back door of Archer Appliances, 4930 South Pulaski, and stole a refrigerator and four tire rims. The crime was discovered by an employee who arrived at the store at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 29.

* * *

Burglars entered an unlocked garage near 57th and Neva and stole fishing gear worth $2,000. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 50-year-old man, at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 29.

* * *

Burglars entered the unlocked service door of a garage near 52nd and Natchez and stole a snowblower, four tires with rims, and two pairs of eyeglasses. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 60-year-old woman, at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, February 1.

* * *

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, February 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.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 53rd and Mobile and stole a snowblower. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 40-year-old man, when he came home from work at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 29. Police said they saw no sign of forced entry.

* * *

Burglars entered an apartment near 50th and Kolin and stole three TVs and a Nintendo Wii video game console. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 40-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 29.

* * *

* * *

Burglars pushed in the rear window of a home near 86th and Kostner and stole a collection of various coins and currency from around the world. The crime was discovered by a 44-year-old Clearing man (who was checking on the house while the victim, an 80-year-old man, was on vacation in Mexico) at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday, January 29.

* * *

Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 51st and McVicker, damaged and entered a 2013 Honda Accord parked inside and stole two pairs of sunglasses, two appliance chargers, and assorted tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 52-year-old man, at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 1.

* * *

Burglars broke the back window of an apartment near 55th and Mayfield and stole a TV and $700 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 58-year-old man, when he came home from work at 6:01 p.m. Thursday, January 30.

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