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 27-year-old West Side man is in custody after he allegedly was found in possession of

Aldridge A. Gardner

crack cocaine and heroin while in a car stopped near 52nd and Central.

Aldridge A. Gardner of the 1500 block of North Francisco is held on $75,000 bond by the Cook County Department of Corrections and is next set to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 155 W. 51st St., on Tuesday, Sept. 9.

Police on patrol at 9:36 p.m. Monday, Aug. 11 said they stopped a car in the 5500 block of West 52nd Street after the driver, Candice F. King, 22, of 45th and Lavergne, reportedly failed to signal a turn. She was also cited for driving without a license and no proof of insurance.

According to the CPD incident report, Gardner told police that the drugs were his, allegedly saying, "All that sh~t is mines. She don't sell that sh~t. I does." Police said that two plastic bags with crack cocaine fell from Gardner's pants legs, and that six smaller bags of heroin were found in his left shoe.

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An 18-year-old Scottsdale man is in custody after he allegedly led police on a brief but high-

Omar Rangel

speed chase through a crowded parking lot at the Jewel-Osco at 6107 S. Archer at 7:36 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5

Omar Rangel of 84th and Kilbourn is held on $75,000 bond by the Cook County Department of Corrections and is next set to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 2, 2650 S. California, on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

Police said on patrol near 55th and Austin said that a woman told them that Rangel's SUV had just hit her vehicle and was traveling north on Austin. Police said that Rangel's vehicle turned east at Archer and then south into the Jewel-Osco parking lot, crashing at the south end of the parking lot, near 55th Street.

Police said that when Rangel refused to exit the SUV, he was physically pulled through the window opening in the driver's side door and then taken into custody---which brought applause from citizens at a CAPS 811 audience earlier this month, when the arrest was announced by CPD as a success story.

There were two passengers in Rangel's vehicle, police added. One escaped and the other was reportedly found with an open can of beer between his legs.

* * *

Cesar Ortiz

A 21-year-old Garfield Ridge man was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice/disorderly conduct after he allegedly tried to stop police from entering a back yard near 55th and Massasoit at 1:26 a.m. Thursday, July 24.

Police responding to a 911 call about a loud party said that Cesar Ortiz, who lives at the home where the party was in progress, blocked their path and claimed they needed a warrant to enter the yard.

Police said that Ortiz is an admitted gangbanger and is currently on parole for criminal sexual assault. According to the Illinois State Police, Ortiz is a registered sex offender and was convicted of committing a crime against a 13-year-old child.

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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, September 3. 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 the unlocked patio door of a home near 55th and Kilbourn and stole a safe, a necklace and about $3,000 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 39-year-old man, at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 26. He said he had left home at about 10 a.m. to go get breakfast at a local restaurant.

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TIF Illumination Project Sheds Light on Tax Increment Financing in 23rd Ward

By Joan Hadac

Editor and Publisher

Southwest Chicago Post

Proponents of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) describe it as an innovative public financing method that is used as a subsidy for redevelopment of economically blighted areas and other community-improvement projects--and that it ultimately strengthens a community's tax base, attracts private investment, and increases economic activity.

Critics in Chicago often claim that the TIF concept has been twisted nearly 180 degrees over the last three decades, calling TIF revenue "Chicago's shadow budget" and/or a political slush fund used by elected officials to take tax dollars out of the pockets of working men and women and dole out corporate welfare to those with political connections--kind of a Robin Hood in reverse.

To shed light on the situation, Move 23 Forward and Martin Arteaga, 23rd Ward aldermanic candidate, hosted a seminar led by the TIF Illumination Project at Kennedy High School on Wednesday, August 27.

The event itself was not well attended. Just about two dozen

people in an auditorium that can seat about 775. But thanks to the video shot and posted by the Southwest Chicago Post and others, thousands will see and hear this important message online.

Our thanks to the TIF Illumination Project, Move 23 Forward, and Martin Arteaga for bringing this discussion to the Southwest Side.

Enjoy...

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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 27-year-old Gage Park man is credited by police with chasing, disarming and

Wojciech Muzia

apprehending a 23-year-old West Elsdon man who allegedly robbed a woman at gunpoint at about 2 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.

Wojciech Muzia of 59th and Lawndale is charged with aggravated robbery and is set to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 155 W. 51st St., on Friday, Aug. 29.

The victim, a 37-year-old West Lawn woman, told police that she was accosted by Muzia on the sidewalk in front of 3709 W. 59th St. He allegedly asked, “What’s you name, b~tch?” and said “Give me your f~cking money” while brandishing a handgun that turned out to be a Daisy brand pellet gun, according to police.

The victim said she told Muzia that she had no money, but that he could have her purse, which he allegedly took.

The 27-year-old Gage Park man, who told police he witnessed the crime, was armed with a pistol and holds a concealed carry permit. He said he confronted Muzia and ordered him to drop his weapon. Muzia then allegedly threw his weapon under a car parked nearby and fled on foot. The witness said he chased Muzia, tackled him and held him until police arrived.

* * *

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, August 26. 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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Two men said by police to be gangbangers were arrested and charged with assault after they allegedly threatened a 23-year-old Clearing man as he walked down a sidewalk in front of 6255 S. Neenah at 4:22 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18.

Blake I. Castro, 22, of 60th and Mulligan, and Jonathan Castro, 19, of Marquette Park, were apprehended by police after the allegedly shouted gang slogans at the victim and threatened him with crowbars.

The victim said he ran away, grabbing a brick along the way to defend himself. Castro also was charged with possession of narcotics, police said, after they allegedly found a plastic bag containing pills in his vehicle. The victim is also a gang member, according to the police report.

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A 63-year-old Clearing man told police that he stumbled upon an intruder in his apartment near 62nd and Oak Park at 12:07 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23. He told police that the man, an 18-20-year-old friend of his daughter, had broken a lock on his bedroom door and stole a Nintendo Wii video game console before fleeing on foot. The victim shared the man’s name with police, who were investigating.

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While a 46-year-old West Lawn man worked outside his house near 62nd and Kedvale at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, burglars pried open the back door and stole $900 cash from a spot in the kitchen, he reported to police.

Burglars entered the unlocked service door of a garage near 64th and Meade and stole a bag of tools, two bicycles and a Movado watch. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 39-year-old woman, at 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.

* * *

Burglars entered the rear window of a home near 56th and Tripp and stole a laptop computer and an air conditioning unit. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 60-year-old woman, at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 51st and Lorel and stole a bicycle and a hand jack, as well as damaged a 2011 Subaru parked inside. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 23-year-old woman, when she came home from work at 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 18.

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Chicago Glass Blocks: Proven Protection From Floods for Homes and Businesses

Sudden summer storms seem to cause serious flooding in the Chicago area every few years or so.

With sewers overloaded by torrential rain, storm water has no place to go but in yards and basements.

“When I moved to Burbank 25 years ago, I thought we’d never flood, because the real estate agent told us the neighborhood was on a ridge and that the Deep Tunnel project just about guaranteed no flooding,” said homeowner Tom O’Shea.

“What we learned—the hard way—is that a lot of this area is lowland that was marshes and swamps a hundred years ago,” he added.

O’Shea added that his basement flooded in a summer storm in 1996, which he thought was a fluke. Nonetheless, he spent a good deal of money on a flood control system to ensure that his basement would never again fill with sewer backup.

“But then a few years later, it happened again,” he added. “I didn’t get any sewer water, but the rain water outside was so high that it was coming in my old (single-pane glass) basement windows. I thought, ‘That’s it. Time for glass block windows.’ So I had them installed two weeks later, and no problems since.”

Endorsed by both the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, glass block windows offer a smart and simple strategy to fight flooding and protect property—both for homeowners and businesses.

In addition to protection from the elements, glass block windows offer many other benefits.

“The right glass blocks can add a whole new dimension of beauty on the outside and soft natural light on the inside,” says Carol Basic, a Southwest Side resident and owner of Chicago Glass Blocks, headquartered near Midway Airport. “Plus they add value to your home, and they are generally maintenance free.”

Chicago Glass Blocks creates and installs custom-made windows using top-quality Pittsburgh Corning glass block, the only glass block manufactured in the U.S. The company is the only Pittsburgh Corning distributor in the Chicago area.

The company also is known for using superior mortar mixed to manufacturer's specs, a high-quality blend of Type I Portland cement and lime. This, Basic says, is unlike the big-box, discount home improvement stores, where the glass blocks are stuck together with merely a fraction of an inch of caulk.

Celebrating its 27th anniversary this year, Chicago Glass Blocks is locally owned and managed by a family with decades of experience in masonry and masonry restoration for homes and businesses. Well known and highly respected in the Chicago-area construction industry, the Basic Family has a deep understanding of local construction methods and materials, enabling them to quickly and accurately assess your home or business needs. Their highly trained technicians--mostly family members and all area residents--who will come to your home are fully insured and leave your home in better shape than they found it.

To learn more about Chicago Glass Blocks, call (773) 581-5081 for a free energy consultation from a friendly, experienced expert.

Chicago Glass Blocks owner Carol Basic (left) and her daughter, Michelle Basic, assist customers at the family business that is celebrating its 27th anniversary. For more information, call (773) 581-5081.

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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 22-year-old West Elsdon woman was arrested and charged with aggravated battery after she allegedly slammed a door on police officers, kicked an officer in the chest twice, and made verbal threats while in the Eighth District police station.

Reyna Perez of 55th and Kostner is set to answer charges in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 60, 555 W. Harrison, on Thursday, Aug. 28, according to the Cook County Department of Corrections.

Police responding to a call of a domestic disturbance near 55th and Kostner at 2:10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, said that Perez was combative and resisted arrest. While in the station, she allegedly said to a police officer, "You white f~cking b~tch, wait 'til I get out. I'm going to shoot you in the head, right between the eyes," according to the CPD incident report.

Perez's four-year-old daughter was turned over to the child's grandmother, a Cicero woman, according to police.

* * *

A 68-year-old Clearing woman thwarted a pair of burglars when she confronted them in the basement of her apartment near 63rd Place and Major. She told police that the duo, a man and woman, broke her basement window at about 6 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. She saw them stacking tools to be stolen, and when they saw her, they ran away. The victim told police she knows them from the neighborhood and gave police their names. They are both 20-22 years old and white, according to the victim.

* * *

A 42-year-old man from the Central Illinois town of Chatsworth was arrested and charged

Webster Fisher Jr.

with aggravated assault after he allegedly threatened a 24-year-old West Elsdon man with a knife blade.

The victim said he saw Webster Fisher Jr. attempting to pry open the front storm door of a vacant, bank-owned house near 55th Place and Lawndale at 10:29 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15. When he hollered across the street to confront him, Fisher allegedly walked toward the victim in a menacing manner, before putting the blade in his car, police said.

Bond was set at $15,000, and Fisher is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 34, 155 W. 51st St., on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

* * *

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, August 26. 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.

Four thugs robbed La Montaña convenience store, 4201 W. 59th St., at 10:15 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15. The quartet walked into the store, accosted a 17-year-old clerk and demanded that he give them $150 cash. One flashed a handgun.

The clerk complied, and the robbers fled on foot west on 59th Street. They are described only as young Hispanic men.

* * *

David Cevallos

A 22-year-old Gage Park man is being held without bond and charged with aggravated assault of an off-duty police officer. David Cevallos of 52nd and Whipple allegedly threatened the victim with a gun during an argument on the street near 63rd and Springfield at 6:17 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15.

Cevallos then reportedly fled on a bicycle. Police combing the area said they found his bike in the alley behind 3802 W. 59th Place. A short time later Cevallos was found hiding in a minivan parked in a nearby garage, according to police. The Cook County Department of Corrections page on Cevallos does not indicate a court date.

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A 62-year-old Vittum Park man visiting a friend fought off two robbers—a man and a woman--who tried to steal his bicycle as it stood in a front yard near 49th and Leclaire at 1:50 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15.

Just before the pair fled on foot, the male attacker hit the victim in the face with a pair of pliers. The victim had several cuts to his face, but refused medical treatment, police said. 

The criminals are described as a white woman age 18, 5’6 and 130 pounds, blond hair and fair complexion. The other is a Hispanic man age 18, 5’8 and 160 pounds, with short black hair and a fair complexion.

* * *

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A 54-year-old Archer Heights woman told police that a thug snatched a gold chain off her neck as she sat on the front porch of her home near 48th and Komensky at 2:15 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14. After snatching the chain, the robber ran north on Komensky. The victim had cuts on a finger and her knees, but refused medical treatment, according to police.

The crook is described as a Hispanic man age 18, 5’5 and 130 pounds, brown eyes, short black hair, medium complexion, with a scar under his left eye.

* * *

A 60-year-old Archer Heights man told police that he was robbed of $1,300 in rent money on the sidewalk in front of 4780 S. Archer at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12. He said he had just withdrawn $500 from a nearby ATM and had another $800 cash in his pocket.

He said he was riding his bike home when two thugs on bikes came up behind him, cut him off and blocked his path. He was told to relax and stay still while they went through his pockets and then rode away.

The criminals are described only as Hispanic men age 25-27.

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A 23-year-old Burbank man, said by police to be a gangbanger, was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun during an incident in the Scottsdale neighborhood. Police said that Izais Gomez of 78th and Rutherford was carrying a handgun as he rode in a car near 83rd and Keeler at 11:55 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15. The other two alleged gangbangers were Antonio Higareda, 23, of 72nd and Springfield, and Josue Gurrola, 23, of 72nd and Millard, police added. They were charged with disorderly conduct.

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Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 64th Place and Major and stole a set of motorcycle keys, a TV, and a car radio. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 28-year-old woman, at 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 14.

* * *

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Burglars entered a garage near 49th and Kolin and stole a car stereo from a 2002 Honda Civic parked inside. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 34-year-old man, at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13. The victim added that the burglar “destroyed” the car’s dashboard.

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Burglars forced open a side window of John Hancock College Preparatory High School, 4034 W. 56th St., and stole a two-drawer file cabinet and a portable computer hard drive backup from the discipline office. The crime was discovered by a 28-year-old school social worker at 7 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13.

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A 21-year-old Clearing man was charged with battery after he allegedly pushed a police officer attempting to pat him down. Ernest Zepeda Jr. allegedly committed the crime at his home near 63rd Place and Linder at 9:31 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13. Police were responding to a “man with a gun” call to Zepeda’s address. He is set to appear in court on Oct. 3, police said.

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An 85-year-old Clearing man was bilked and/or bullied out of $3,400 by two men posing as home repair contractors. The victim’s daughter told police that the offenders were going door to door near 64th Place and Austin on Tuesday, Aug. 5 and told the victim that they could repair cracks in his sidewalk for $200. Later, after they patched the cracks in a slapdash manner, they demanded payment of $4,000. The victim balked, and the price was lowered to $3,400. The offenders then accompanied the man to a nearby Fifth Third Bank branch to withdraw the funds. Against the advice of a teller, the victim withdrew 34 $100 bills and handed them over to the repair scammers. They are described only as white men age 35-45.

* * *

Burglars broke the lock on the front door of OEM Air Compressor headquarters, 4600 S. Kolin, entered and stole two air compressors and a blow torch. The crime was discovered by an employee at 7 a.m. Friday, Aug. 8.

* * *

Burglars broke the window of a garage near 51st and Lawndale and stole a kicker box and an amplifier. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 26 year-year-old man, when he came home from work at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 8.

* * *

A group of teenagers burglarized two truck trailers parked at 6248 S. Gullikson (just east of Harlem) at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12. Police responding to a call said they saw 8-10 white teens age 15-18 at the site, with four pallets of plastic bottles already stacked on the ground.

They fled when spotted. All escaped, and two police officers received minor injuries while in foot pursuit.

* * *

Burglars forced open the overhead door of a garage near 51st and Leclaire and stole a mountain bike. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 41-year-old woman, when she returned from vacation at 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 64th and Central and stole a GPS unit from a car parked inside. The victim, a 41-year-old woman, said she heard noises coming from the garage at about 3 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, but did not investigate until four hours later.

* * *

Burglars pried open the front door of an apartment near 47th and Springfield and stole assorted jewelry and $200 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 55-year-old woman, when she returned from shopping at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 55th Place and Lawndale and stole an air compressor. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 38-year-old man, at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 54th and Harding and stole a welding mask, three bicycles, a power washer, a stereo system, a lawn mower, a car jack, a power saw, a screw gun, four extension cords and a snow blower. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 44-year-old woman, at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 54th and Springfield and stole assorted power tools, a cooler, a ladder, a vacuum, four bicycles, an air compressor, a grass edger and a power washer. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 44-year-old man, at 4 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 51st and Lawndale and stole a lawn mower, a snow thrower, a propane grill, two bicycles, a power washer, an air compressor and a drill. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 56-year-old woman, at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5.

* * *

Burglars entered the unlocked service door of a garage near 54th and Springfield and stole two bicycles, a lawn mower and a weed whacker. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 69-year-old man, at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4.

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