Brighton Park Man Arrested; Allegedly Carrying Over $6 Million in Cocaine

Just released to the press by CPD at 2:52 a.m. Saturday, January 31:

Archer Heights Civic Association Swears in New Slate of Officers, Ready for 2015

The newly installed officers of the Archer Heights Civic Association pause for a photo after being sworn in by Circuit Court Judge (and former Brighton Park resident) Raymond L. Jagielski (fourth from left), at their January meeting.

Serving as AHCA officers are (from left) Michael Kovac, first vice president; Andrew Esposito, second vice president; Stanley T. Lihosit, executive director; Frances Prince, recording secretary; William Tumaitis, treasurer; Steven Martinez, sergeant-at-arms; and Thomas S. Baliga, president.

The AHCA is seeking a recording secretary.

At the meeting, Baliga praised his fellow officers, as well as all AHCA members who volunteer their time to make the organization as successful as it is.

To learn more about the AHCA, call (773) 843-2232 or attend the next meeting. AHCA meetings are always the second Wednesday of the month, with the exception of July and August, and always start at 7:30 p.m. at the UNO Veterans Memorial Campus, 47th and Kildare. All Archer Heights residents are encouraged to attend.

The Southwest Chicago Post congratulates the AHCA's new officers. Truly, you are the few doing the work of the many; and the neighborhood is a better place because of your generous donation of your time, energy and talents.

Video below.

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Aldermanic Candidates Make Their Pitch at Garfield Ridge Civic League Forum

Our thanks to the Garfield Ridge Civic League for staging a candidates forum at St. Jane de Chantal's Ward Hall on Wednesday, January 21.

The nearly 100 people in attendance heard from two of the

three 23rd Ward aldermanic candidates. (Alderman Michael R. Zalewski was a last-minute no show, with a political operative offering the crowd a medical excuse.) Plus two mayoral candidates were represented. Second Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti was received warmly, and 22nd Ward Alderman Ricardo Munoz spoke briefly on behalf of candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.

The Southwest Chicago Post was there with camera and

tripod, recording the event, for the thousands of Southwest Siders we serve and who were not there.

We shot the event gavel to gavel, C-SPAN style, with almost no editing, so you can see and hear the candidates for yourself and draw your own conclusions, rather than read a filtered version in a newspaper.

Video below.

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CPD Launches 'Body Camera' Test

Just sharing a press release sent by CPD to the news media this afternoon:


Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Garry F. McCarthy
today announced that the Police Department is launching a pilot program using two types of body worn cameras. The cameras will record audio and video as an event unfolds in front of the officer.

“Over the past three and a half years we have led a return to community policing, fostering

stronger relationships and building partnerships between our hard working officers and the
communities they serve,” said Mayor Emanuel. “Through these cameras, we can use technology as a tool to continue to build the trust between officers and residents that is essential to achieving our shared goal – continuing to reduce crime in our communities.”

Officers on third watch in the 14th police district who are participating in the pilot will be equipped with Body Worn Cameras (BWC) and Point of View Cameras (POV). BWCs are clipped to an officer’s outer garment while POVs are clipped to the officer’s glasses, goggles or head gear.

Officers will activate the system to record all routine calls of service, investigatory stops, traffic stops, foot and vehicle pursuits, emergency driving situations and high-risk situations. They will inform any individuals they come into contact with that they are being recorded. Thirty cameras will be tested during the initial pilot program.

“As a police officer for more than 35 years, I’m excited about this new program because it will ensure more transparency from CPD and a new view of the work performed by our officers,” said Superintendent McCarthy. “While they are not the be-all-end-all, I believe body cameras will strengthen police and community relations.”

The pilot program is expected to last 45-60 days, and next steps will be determined based on evaluations by the CPD.

The equipment for the pilot program is being provided by TASER International, Inc. CPD will incur no cost for the pilot program. The same cameras are being tested in New York and are used by the Los Angeles Police Department and additional major jurisdictions around the United States.

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Garfield Ridge Civic League Plans 'Candidates Night' for 23rd Ward

Alderman Zalewski

The Garfield Ridge Civic League has announced that it will host a "candidates night" at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 21 at St. Jane de Chantal Parish's Ward Hall, 52nd and McVicker.

Confirmed to attend are 23rd Ward Alderman Michael R. Zalewski and challengers Martin Arteaga and Anna Goral, according to a statement released by the GRCL.

Martin Arteaga

Additionally, according to the GRCL, mayoral candidates Jesus "Chuy" Garcia and Robert Fioretti are confirmed to appear and speak about their candidacies.

Moderator of the event will be Garfield Ridge businessman Ed Kozak.

The statement did note that the GRCL has invited 14th Ward Alderman Edward M. Burke and 13th Ward Alderman Marty Quinn to the event. Both are running unopposed for re-election in the February 24 primary.

Anna Goral

The event is open to the public, and admission is free. Off-street parking is available.

For more information visit GarfieldRidgeCivicLeague.org
or call Rick at (708) 269-9094.

Additionally, the GRCL will host a visit from City Treasurer Kurt Summers at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 28 at Risen Savior Church, 6059 South Archer. Admission is free, and off-street parking is available.

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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.

* * *

Thieves stole a catalytic converter from a pickup truck parked on the street near 64th and Long. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 31-year-old man, at 11:25 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8. The victim told police he got a glimpse of the offenders, whom he described as two black men who fled in a black Jeep Cherokee.

* * *

A catalytic converter was stolen from a van parked on the street near 60th and Rutherford at 12:02 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10. A witness who said she heard a loud noise and looked out her front window, said she saw the crime in progress. She alerted the victim, a 58-year-old man. The offenders were described as black men fleeing in a black Jeep.

* * *

Two hours earlier, a catalytic converter was stolen from a Comcast truck parked on the street near 63rd Place and Major. The crime was reported by a Comcast employee, a 40-year-old man.

* * *

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 14. 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.

An armed thug robbed two people at the Public Storage facility at 7455 S. Pulaski at 11:44 a.m. Monday, Jan. 5. According to a clerk--a 26-year-old woman--the robber can in, brandished a pistol and said "Don't move" to her and a customer, a 58-year-old West Side man. Stolen from the business was $1,500 cash and 11 blank checks. Stolen from the customer was $700 cash, a wallet, and a cell phone.

* * *

Burglars forced open the rear window of a home near 52nd and Moody and stole assorted jewelry, a camera, and Xbox video game console and several games, and $200 cash. The owner was on vacation at the time of the crime, which was discovered by a neighbor checking on the home at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6.

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Burglars pried open the back door of a home near 46th and Karlov and stole a white-gold cross with a coral stone. The crime was discovered the victim's son, a 22-year-old man, at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7.

* * *

Burglars smashed the sliding glass door of a home near 52nd and Natchez and stole assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 37-year-old woman, when she came home at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan.6. A neighbor told police that she earlier heard a loud crashing noise, but did not investigate or call 911.

* * *

Thieves stole the plumbing van of a 41-year-old Garfield Ridge man while he and a girlfriend sat in a tavern near Archer and Nordica at midnight Wednesday, Jan. 7, according to police. The 2001 Ford Econoline, with about $20,000 worth of equipment inside, was last seen speeding away north on Nordica.

* * *

Thieves stole a Ford F150 pickup truck belonging to Schmidt Steel of Elgin while it was parked on the street near Archer and Rutherford--near the home of an employee. The crime was discovered by the employee at 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5. There reportedly was $20,000 worth of equipment in the vehicle, according to the company.

* * *

Burglars entered an apartment near 63rd and Nashville and stole a computer, an Xbox video game console and five games, and $700 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 21-year-old woman, at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5. Police said they saw no sign of forced entry.

* * *

Burglars removed a section of fencing at U.S. Trailer Parts & Supply, 4334 S. Tripp, and stole 300 truck brake cores. The crime was discovered by a manager at 6 a.m. Friday, Jan. 9.

* * *

Burglars forced open the side door of a home near 56^th and Melvina and stole assorted jewelry. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 35-year-old man, at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9 when he came home from work.

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Blackhawks Offer Hockey Clinics at Wentworth Park Ice Rink, Jan. 14 & 17

Just sharing some information from the youth hockey program of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Please note the Southwest Side events on January 14 and 17 at the Wentworth Park ice rink, 57th and Narragansett.

Check out the program's video at:

http://video.blackhawks.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=560726

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Southwest Siders Snagged in Cook County Sheriff's Warrant Sweep

Several Southwest Siders were among 19 people arrested during a New Year’s Eve warrant sweep aimed at helping keep the roads safer by targeting individuals wanted in DUI and suspended license cases, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart announced recently.

These three were taken into custody because they were wanted in "driving on a suspended license" cases, Dart said:

** Elizabeth Magana was arrested at her home in the 4100

Elizabeth Magana

block of West 57th Street.

** Kathy Montalvo was arrested at her home in 5200 block of South Central.

** Alejandro Vazquez was arrested at his home in the 6000 block of South Melvina.

Prudencio Peralta, of 49th and Seeley, was

Kathy Montalvo

arrested in the 4300 block of South Pulaski on December 23, in relation to an aggravated DUI warrant, Dart said.

Central Warrant Unit officers arrested individuals in Chicago, Cicero, Markham and Maywood. All 19 individuals arrested on December 31 had Cook County warrants issued in 2014.

Alejandro Vazquez

Prudencio Peralta

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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.

* * *

Thieves posing as Chicago Department of Water Management employees stole $5,000 cash and three wedding/engagement rings from a 75-year-old husband and wife in their home near 52nd and Meade.

The crime occurred at 3:15 p.m. Saturday, December 27. The wife told police that a man who said he was a water inspector knocked at her door, saying he needed to come inside and check the home’s water pressure. She let him in, and he appeared to check the kitchen sink before stating that he needed her to accompany him to the basement to check pressure there.

While they were downstairs, an accomplice slipped in the back door and ransacked two bedrooms. The man posing as a water department worker was described as a Hispanic man age 45, 6-foot-1 and 165 pounds, with brown eyes and short black hair, light complexion, wearing a Water Department baseball cap and a blue windbreaker.

* * *

Thieves stole a Ford van parked near 53rd and Natoma, near the home of its owner, a 49-year-old man, and ditched it in an alley near 46th and Laramie at 12:20 a.m. Monday, Dec. 29.

Police recovered the vehicle and contacted the victim, who said that nearly $6,000 worth of power tools were missing, along with the van’s spare tire.

* * *

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, January 7. 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 smashed through a side basement window of a home near 52nd and Normandy and stole a full-length fox-fur coat, a necklace and two purses. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 67-year-old man, at 3 p.m. Friday, January 2.

* * *

A 26-year-old woman who had not yet moved into her new home near 56th and Karlov discovered the premises vandalized by thugs who painted gang slogans throughout the interior. She discovered the crime when she entered the home on Saturday, January 3. She stumbled upon the trio of vandals when she arrived, and they ran off with her purse after a confrontation. Police later found some of the purse's contents in alleys east of the home.

The victim described the trio as two Hispanic men age 21-22, and a Hispanic woman age 19-20. The woman was 5-foot-3 and 150 pounds, with blond hair in a ponytail, with a light complexion.

* * *

* * *

A 46-year-old Oak Lawn man told police he was robbed at gunpoint behind the currency exchange at 4750 South Cicero at 9:10 a.m. Friday, January 2. The victim said he had just come out of the currency exchange and drove around the back to throw out some garbage when the crime occurred. The bandit escaped with the victim's wallet, which contained $189 cash.

The victim said he did not see the robber because he came up from behind and ordered him to look forward at all times.

* * *

A 22-year-old West Lawn man told police he was robbed by two men on the sidewalk in front of 4532 West 63rd Street at 12:20 a.m. Friday, January 2. The victim said that he was hit in the back of the head by an unknown object and pushed to the ground. The robbers took a chain from around his neck, but failed to get his cell phone in a struggle, before they fled. They are described as black men age 22-23. One is 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds with black braided hair. The other is 5-foot-9 and 170 pounds, with short black hair.

* * *

Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in Beat 814 (see map), come to Vittum Park at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, 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.

* * *

Burglars forced open the back door of a home near 45th and Knox and stole two TVs and a Blu-ray Disc player. The crime was discovered at 3:20 p.m. Friday, January 2 by a 43-year-old West Lawn woman who was checking the premises on behalf of her 66-year-old father, who owns the home and was on vacation in Mexico.

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Burglars cut the lock on the back gate of U.S. Trailer Parts & Supply, 4334 South Tripp, and stole an estimated $9,000 worth of truck brake cores. The crime was discovered by a manager at 11:00 p.m. Thursday, December 25. The burglars also succeeded in disabling a security camera, according to the police report.

* * *

Burglars pried open the back door of a home near 57th and Karlov and stole an undetermined amount of jewelry and cash. The victim, an 84-year-old woman, told police she was praying in her living room at 1:30 p.m. Monday, December 29 when she heard a knock at her front door. By the time she made it to the front door to see who was there, she heard a knock at the back door. The victim moves slowly and with a cane, and by the time she reached the rear door, three burglars who had gained access to second-floor bedrooms ran past her and out the door. She described them as Hispanic men age 25-30.

* * *

Burglars pried open the side door of a home near 70th and Keeler and stole a TV, a laptop computer, an iPad and a tablet computer. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 37-year-old woman, at 4 p.m. Monday, December 29.

* * *

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Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Watch Salutes Great Christmas Decorations

By Joan Hadac
Editor and Publisher
Southwest Chicago Post

It's not unusual for members of the Garfield Ridge

Neighborhood Watch to be out at night on the streets west of Central Avenue, working to make the neighborhood a safer and better place while the rest of us relax.

Well, these good men and women were at it again Tuesday evening; but rather than scouring the streets and alleys for signs of criminal activity, they were delivering gift baskets to several homes and a business that sported some of the best and most cheerful Christmas decorations on the entire Southwest Side.

Winners were chosen by the GRNW members themselves, who spotted them while making their regular crime fighting rounds in the vehicles and on foot. GRNW President Al Cacciottolo noted that it was more difficult for the GRNW to choose winners this year than last, if only because more people seem to be decorating--a good sign of a neighborhood that feels good about itself.

What does that have to do with fighting crime? Well, plenty, indirectly. Encouraging all of us to take a little more pride in our homes and businesses leads to a neighborhood that is more cohesive, more aware, more apt to stand up against blight and crime. The GRNW knows that and has been engaged in community improvement efforts for a couple of years now.

Here's an explanation from Cacciottolo:

Here are a few photos of those saluted by the GRNW.

Flowers by Liz

5932 South Mayfield

5824 South Natoma

5619 South Newland

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