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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Police charged Antonio Chavez, 36, of Cermak and St. Louis, with strong arm robbery after he allegedly stole two lamps from the J.C. Penney in Ford City Mall and then fought with two security guards in the parking lot. The incident occurred at 5:53 p.m. Thursday, March 26. The lamps were worth $250 each, according to the police report, which did not give court information on Chavez.

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Police charged Andres Castro Braulio, 37, of 55th and Pulaski, with aggravated assault after he allegedly used his Pontiac Bonneville to chase and ram another car in an alley behind 5752 S. Pulaski at 7:45 p.m. Monday, March 23. The driver of the other vehicle, a 33-year-old West Elsdon man, said his vehicle suffered extensive damage. The police report gave no indication of a court date for Braulio.

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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, April 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.

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Burglars pried open the bathroom window of a home near 47th and Knox and stole a laptop computer, an iPad and $3,000 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 62-year-old man, when he came home from work at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24.

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A 31-year-old West Elsdon man told police that burglars forced open the kitchen window of his home near 57th Place and Springfield and stole assorted jewelry, two Nintendo Wii video game consoles, an iPod, and four tablet computers. The crime was discovered at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 24.

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A 37-year-old West Lawn man told police he was robbed as he walked to his pickup truck, which was parked near 59th and Hamlin. The crime occurred at 4:30 a.m. Saturday, March 21. The victim said the offender approached and simply demanded his belongings. He complied and handed over his cell phone, truck keys and wallet with $150 inside. The robber was described only as a black man wearing a hoody.

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A 38-year-old West Elsdon man told police that a burglar entered his garage near 54th and Lawndale and stole two speakers, two amplifiers and a power drill. He discovered the crime in progress at 2:30 a.m. Sunday, March 22, when he said he looked out a house window and saw the offender walking in his garage with a flashlight. The police incident report offered no description of the burglar.

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Burglars forced open the basement door of a home near 66th and Kostner and stole two TVs and a laptop computer. The crime was discovered by an 11-year-old boy coming home from school at 3:15 p.m. Friday, March 20. The boy saw an open door and immediately called police, who came and cleared the premises to ensure that no offenders were inside.

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A 30-year-old Vittum Park woman told police that someone forced open the service door of her garage near 51st and Lamon and stole a brown tote bag from inside her unlocked vehicle. The bag contained keys to her classroom at a CPS magnet school, as well as papers with personal information about students, the victim said. The crime was discovered at 10 p.m. Tuesday, March 17.

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Burglars forced open the rear door of a some near 78th and Keeler and stole a cell phone, a tablet computer, two Nintendo Wii video game consoles, assorted jewelry and $4,000 cash. The crime was discovered by the victim,a 38-year-old man, when he came home from work at 4 p.m. Friday, March 27.

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Burglars pried open the back door of a home near 54th and Long and stole a TV, an iPad and a brown Louis Vuitton duffel bag. The crime was discovered by a neighbor, an 84-year-old woman, when she saw an open door and called police at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, March 24.

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A home invader broke into a residence near 64th Place and Mayfield but failed to steal anything--apparently fleeing when he became aware that a 72-year-old woman was inside the home. The crime occurred at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 24.

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Burglars entered the bathroom window of a home near 48th and Keating and stole five TVs, two laptop computers, two iPads and and iPod. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 49-year-old woman, when she came home at 2:20 p.m. Friday, March 20. She told police she had only been gone less than two hours.

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Thieves stole an orange Toyota forklift from Southwest Ace Hardware, 6908 W. Archer. The crime was discovered at 5 a.m. Thursday, March 26.

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Four juveniles were apprehended as they trespassed in a vacant home at 6157 S. Moody at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 25. Police responding to a 911 call said they saw several broken windows at the dwelling and heard the youngsters inside.

The juveniles, all Clearing residents, included a 13-year-old boy, a 12-year-old boy, and two 11-year-old girls. The real estate agent in charge of the home, a 49-year-old man representing a South Side brokerage, declined to sign a complaint against the four, and they were transported home to their parents, by police.

The 99-year-old home is currently listed for $169,900.

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