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 42-year-old Archer Heights man was charged with disorderly conduct and filing a false police report after he allegedly called 911 and claimed that a person was holding a gun to his head.

Jose J. Castro, an employee of Car Zone, 5103 S. Archer, was embroiled in an argument with two customers at about 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24 when he made the call. Police responding said that when they asked where the gun was, Castro said, “There was no gun. Nobody had a gun.” The CPD incident report did not give a court date for Castro.

* * *

A 14-year-old boy told police he was robbed as he walked home from school, on a sidewalk in front of 5200 S. Keeler at 3:50 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25. The assailants approached from behind, with one putting the victim in a chokehold while the other went through his pockets and stole a cell phone. The boy claimed he did not get a good enough look at the two males to offer a significant description.

* * *

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, October 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.

Watchful neighbors may have interrupted the burglary of an apartment near 53rd and Moody at 6:55 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25. Police responding to a “burglary in progress” call said they saw a 36-year-old man exiting the apartment. He explained himself by saying he lives in the building, which he does. Police said that the apartment was in disarray, and some valuables were stacked by a door, as if ready to be carried away. Other neighbors told police that the man had been in the apartment without permission. The CPD incident report gave no indication if the man was arrested or charged with a crime.

* * *

A 33-year-old Garfield Ridge man told police he was robbed by two gang members as he walked down a sidewalk in front of 5400 S. Lotus at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24. The victim said that a man jumped out of a gold Buick Lacrosse with temporary license plates, shouted a gang slogan, flashed a handgun and said, "What you got? You better give it up, or you know what will happen."

The criminal stole his cell phone, wallet and prescription medications. The offender then got back into the car, which sped away west on 54th Street. The assailant and driver are described only as Hispanic men age 20-25.

* * *

Burglars kicked in the front door of an apartment near 55th and Linder and stole a TV. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 51-year-old woman, at 5 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24.

advertisement

advertisement

Burglars forced open the bedroom window of an apartment near 59th and Lawndale and stole assorted power tools, two extension cords, two light fixtures and a bathroom faucet. The crime was discovered by the building owner, a 41-year-old Burbank woman, at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24.

* * *

A burglar entered a home near 57th Place and Keeler and stole a laptop computer. The crime was discovered by a woman related to the victim, a 45-year-old man. The witness told police she saw the offender in a bedroom. When confronted, he claimed to be a friend of the victim’s son and was merely inside to retrieve an ID. He then fled on foot. The offender is described as a Hispanic man age 18-19, 5’6 and 140 pounds, brown eyes, black hair in a fade, medium complexion.

advertisement

advertisement

Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near 64th Place and Major and stole an Xbox 360 and four amplifiers. The crime was discovered by the victim, an 18-year-old man, at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23.

* * * 

A 24-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with assault after he allegedly threw a rock at an acquaintance, a 41-year-old Garfield Ridge woman, during an argument that occurred outside a home near 56th and Massasoit at about 7:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. Michael G. Parker of 56th and Menard allegedly pedaled away on a bicycle after the incident. He is scheduled to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 34, 155 W. 51st St., on Oct. 14.

* * * 

Burglars entered the side window of an apartment near 58th and Massasoit and stole a TV and a DVD player. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 34-year-old man, when he returned home from work at 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20.

Burglars forced open the front door of an apartment near 80th and Pulaski and stole a TV and a Nintendo Wii. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 68-year-old woman, when she returned from swimming at noon Thursday, Sept. 25.

* * *

A 22-year-old Scottsdale woman was robbed at knifepoint by a thug on a black bicycle, as he walked west on a sidewalk in from of 4452 W. 79th Street at 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24. Stolen was the victim's purse, which contained IDs, a CTA fare card, a debit card, $41 cash and a library book. The offender is described as a Hispanic man age 17-25.

* * *

A 48-year-old Scottsdale woman investigating a noise in the rear of her apartment scared away a would-be burglar at 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24. The burglar was using a screwdriver to try and pry open a rear bedroom window but fled on foot when he saw the woman. He is described as a black boy age 15-16, 5'9 and 150 pounds, with curly black hair.

# # #

Teen Missing From 53rd and Kilbourn

Just released by CPD to the news media at 4:54 p.m. Monday, September 29. If you have any useful information to share, please call detectives at the number listed.

Governor Quinn Joins Alderman Burke at Archer Park to Announce Upgrades

Governor Pat Quinn stopped by Archer Park on Saturday,

Sept. 27 to announce the designation of more than $300,000 in state funds to help repair and improve some of the facilities at the park.

The funds will help repair the fieldhouse roof and gutters, improve some of the building's interior, and make parking more accessible.

With a host of boys and girls from the Archer Manor Little League around him, the governor said a few words about the importance of park facilities for children and communities.

He praised 14th Ward Alderman Edward M. Burke, who in turn pledged his key support in getting the governor elected on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Video of the speeches below.

# # #

Father Marion Soprych Dies; Served at St. Bede, St. Rene, Other Area Parishes

Press release just released by the Chicago Archdiocese:


The Rev. Marion Andrew Soprych died suddenly on Sunday, September 21, at Silver

Cross Hospital in New Lenox. Fr. Soprych was the Associate Pastor of SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Lemont. He was 64 years old.

Fr. Soprych was born in Chicago on December 6, 1949, and attended Immaculate Conception and Five Holy Martyrs Schools on Chicago’s Southwest side.  He was a graduate of Quigley Preparatory Seminary South and Niles College Seminary at Loyola University. He earned his Baccalaureate in English from Niles College. Fr. Soprych graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary, where he received his Master of Divinity degree. John Cardinal Cody, Archbishop of Chicago, ordained him into the priesthood on May 14, 1975. 

Fr. Soprych’s first assignment was at St. Helen Parish in Chicago, where he was an Associate Pastor for just over a year.  He moved to Evergreen Park’s Queen of Martyrs Parish in 1976 and served as Associate Pastor until 1985. After this, Fr. Soprych was assigned to St. Rene Goupil Parish in Chicago, serving there for five years. Beginning in 1990, he spent seven years as the Associate Pastor of St. Louis de Montfont Parish in Oak Lawn.  In 1997, he moved to St. Bede the Venerable Parish on Kostner Avenue in Chicago, and served there until 2006. That same year, Fr. Soprych was named Associate Pastor of St. John Fisher Parish, remaining there until 2013, before he moved to SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish in Lemont. 

Rev. Bill Stenzel, retired Pastor of St. Mary of Celle Parish, who was a classmate of Fr. Soprych’s and was also ordained with him said, “Marion was the most true-to-himself individual. He never tried to be anybody that he wasn’t. He was just so genuine and he was very comfortable with who he was and what he did.”  

Fr. Stenzel was Pastor of St. Bede the Venerable Parish and ministered there with Fr. Soprych.  He went on to say, “Marion was very connected with the people and was active in the communities that he was in, especially in interfaith activities, working with clergy of other faith denominations. He was very much accepted by them as a great reach-out from the Catholic community.” 

According to the SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish website, Fr. Soprych was an avid reader and filmgoer, “Father Marion enjoys reading science fiction, fantasy, mystery and horror. He also enjoys movies. His favorites include 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Last Starfighter, The Horse Soldiers, High Noon, Moondance Alexander, Marigold, and Underworld movies and the Resident Evil series. Father Marion even did a day of acting for an independent film which, sadly, was never completed.”

Rev. Edward Barrett, Pastor of St. Terrence Parish, was ordained with Fr. Soprych. He remembers him as “very humorous, a great storyteller and also a big fan of John Wayne.” 

Fr. Michael Furlan, Pastor of St. Germaine Parish, who was also a classmate, reaffirmed Fr. Soprych’s love for movies and John Wayne, “He was a great movie buff, but especially about John Wayne, particularly because they shared the same first name, ‘Marion.’ On a day off, Fr. Soprych used to enjoy going to see sometimes three movies. He was a real down-to-earth person, people really related to him.”

Fr. Soprych will lie in state at SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, 608 Sobieski Street in Lemont, on Thursday, September 25, from 1 to 8 p.m.  A wake service will also be held on Thursday, at 7 p.m.  The funeral Mass for Fr. Soprych will take place at SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish on Friday, September 26, at 10 a.m.  Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Justice. 

Fr. Soprych is survived by his two brothers, Thad and Adrian Soprych.

Alert: Teen Missing from 50th and Karlov

Update received at 1:29 p.m. today from Chicago Police, on the 16-year-old girl who had been missing from 50th and Karlov: "We just received confirmation from Area Central detectives that Valeria Barcenas has been safely located and returned to family. Unfortunately no other details were provided."

Just released by CPD to the news media at 1:30 p.m.

Please share and keep our eyes open!

# # #

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 Scottsdale residents apparently fed up with crime chased down an 18-year-old

Kahari A. Dixon

Wrightwood man who allegedly had just robbed a 59-year-old Scottsdale woman of her cell phone, and held him for police.

The victim said she was walking on a sidewalk near 79th and Kilpatrick at 6:10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 when a robber on a bicycle snatched her cell phone and pedaled away east. She ran after him, and moments later flagged down a passing motorist--a 40-year-old Scottsdale man--who chased the offender.

The offender ditched his bike and the stolen cell phone on the 4600 block of West 79th Place, with the motorist and other neighbors in pursuit. A short time later, in an alley near 78th and Kilpatrick, Kahari A. Dixon, of the 3000 block of West Columbus, was apprehended by three Scottsdale men who detained him for police.

Police brought the victim to the scene, where she positively identified Dixon as the man who stole her cell phone. The victim's cell phone was returned by a neighbor who recovered it.

Dixon was arrested and charged with robbery. He is set to appear in Cook County Circuit Court Branch 48, 155 W. 51st St., on Thursday, Sept. 25.

* * *

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, September 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.

Two thugs punched and attempted to rob a 68-year-old West Lawn man as he worked inside his garage near 62nd and Karlov at 6:10 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15.

The victim told police that the assailants demanded his money and punched him in the left temple, knocking him to the garage floor. A 50-year-old neighbor taking out his garbage saw the incident, and the two men threatened him verbally by saying, "What the f~ck you looking at?" and throwing a chair at him.

After failing to find anything of value on the victim, the would-be robbers ran away. The victim’s elbow was cut from the fall, but he declined CFD medical assistance. The attackers are described as black men age 25-32, 5’8 to 5’10 and 130-140 pounds.

Burglars broke into a garage near 48th and Ridgeway and stole a power washer, as well as assorted tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 38-year-old man, when he returned from vacation at 5 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12. His vehicle also was damaged in the crime.

* * *

advertisement

advertisement

Burglars kicked in the service door of a garage near 51st and Lamon and stole two bicycles and two stereo speakers. The crime was discovered by the victims, a 49-year-old man and 43-year-old woman, at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18.

* * *

Burglars entered a garage near 51st and Latrobe and stole a power saw. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 35-year-old man, at 1:35 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17. He told police he has images of the two burglars on surveillance video and would share it with detectives.

advertisement

advertisement

Burglars pried open the service door of a garage near 52nd and Laporte and stole a bicycle. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 30-year-old man, at 1 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16.

# # #

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 21-year-old Vittum Park man reported that he was robbed in an alley near 56th and Massasoit, by a woman he met on Facebook and three of her friends.

The crime occurred at 7:40 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, the victim said. One of the four threatened to beat him unless he gave all his money, and they went through his pockets, taking $92 cash.

All four assailants are described as white and between age 20-30. Two are women: one is described only as having black hair, the other is a blonde, 5’2 and 110 pounds, light complexion. One man is described as 5’10 with short black hair, the other is 6’2 with brown hair.

The victim told police that the blonde he met on Facebook later texted him and warned him against alerting the police, or she would claim that he raped her, according to the CPD incident report.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 811 (see map), come to Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 16. 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.

Two South Side boys were nabbed after they allegedly stole more than $550 in clothing from The Boutique, located in Ford City Mall. The crime occurred at about 8:15 a.m.

Thursday, Sept. 11. A mall employee told two security guards said he saw the duo--a 17-year-old from 45th and Calumet and a 14-year-old from 58th and Indiana--holding open the store's roll-down security gate and puling out merchandise.

They fled when confronted, the security officers told police. After a brief foot chase, the two teens were apprehended by security in the mall parking lot, with an assist from Burbank Police.

The two were arrested and processed through the juvenile court system.

* * *

Burglars pried open the rear door of an apartment near 49^th and Archer and stole a computer monitor, four high-end watches and assorted jewelry, a camera, a key fob for a car, a safe with documents inside, two cartons of Newport cigarettes and a half-empty bottle of Grey Goose vodka.

The crime was discovered by the victim, a 40-year-old man, when he returned from a doctor’s appointment at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11. A neighbor told police that he saw the victim’s apartment doors wide open, but he thought the victim was home and therefore did not call police.

Burglars entered an apartment near 63rd and Central and stole two TVs, a computer and monitor, and two tablet computers. The victim was out of town on vacation when the crime occurred, and was police were notified at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 29. The victim’s daughter shared with police the name of a man she believes may have committed the crime. Police were investigating.

* * *

Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 52nd and Lorel and stole a bicycle. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 90-year-old woman, at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9.

advertisement

advertisement

Burglars pried open the side door of a house near 57th and Kenneth and stole two laptop computers, three Coach purses, assorted jewelry and $2,000 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 51-year-old woman, at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9, about 90 minutes after she left home to go shopping.

* * *

Burglars forced open the service door of a garage near 48th and Kilpatrick and stole four bicycles, a snow blower, a lawnmower, and assorted tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 54-year-old woman, at noon Tuesday, Sept. 9.

advertisement

advertisement

A home invader entered a house near 77th and Kilpatrick at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 10 and stole a cell phone and $15 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 41-year-old woman, who woke up while the crime was in progress. The CPD incident report did not offer a description of the invader. The victim said she believes the criminal entered the home by opening a window.

# # #