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 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 the western section of the district. 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.
* * *
Reputed gang member shot while driving
A 37-year-old man—said by a law enforcement source to be a gang member--was shot in the back as he drove his vehicle in the 5800 block of South Hamlin just after 3 a.m. Thursday, March 24. He was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition. He said he was unable to provide police with a description of the shooter or the vehicle he fired from.
Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in and/or own a business in Beats 815 or 821 (see map) make plans to attend your next CAPS meeting, set for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 at St. Bruno School (south end, St. Joseph Room), 4839 S. Harding. 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.
Shot three times on driveway in drive-by
A 43-year-old man was shot three times as he stood in the drive way of a home in the 8000 block of South Knox at about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. The victim told police that a maroon sedan pulled up and someone inside began firing at him, hitting him twice in the left armpit and once in the chest. The victim was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition.
Shot me with a BB gun during spat, woman says
A 33-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery and aggravated assault after he allegedly used a BB gun to shoot a 29-year-old woman in the lower body, during an argument at a home in the 6700 block of West 63rd Place.
Samuel S. Vazzana, of the same block, was arrested at his home at 9:38 p.m. Saturday, March 16.
According to public records, Vazzana has been arrested three times by CPD since 2014, on charges that included domestic battery (twice) and possession of a controlled substance.
Cellphone buyer pepper sprayed, robbed
A 42-year-old Chicago Ridge man was pepper-sprayed and robbed in an alley near 79th and Whipple at 3:10 p.m. Thursday, March 21. The victim told police he was at the site to purchase a cellphone from a man he met on the OfferUp app. When the seller asked to see his cash and the victim complied, the seller sprayed the victim in the face, snatched the cash and ran away. He was described as a black man age 18-20, and 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds, with brown eyes and a dark complexion. He wore a gray hoody.
Pregnant woman accosted by boyfriend at McDonald’s
A 22-year-old woman who is eight months pregnant was accosted by her boyfriend as she worked at her job at the McDonald’s at 6720 W. Archer at 8:49 p.m. Thursday, March 21. The victim told police that her boyfriend, an 18-year-old Brighton Park man, walked into the restaurant and started arguing with her. When she told him to leave, he walked behind the counter and pulled her hair. He then fled the restaurant. The victim told police that her boyfriend is a gang member who has beaten her with a handgun in the past. He remains at large.
Man charged with weapons, drug violations
A 27-year-old West Lawn man was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and narcotics possession after police reportedly found a handgun and a bag with a small amount of cocaine in his pickup truck.
Police responding to a call of two men drinking alcohol in the truck—parked in the 6300 block of South Kilbourn at 10:21 p.m. Wednesday, March 20—spotted Gilberto Diaz, of the 6200 block of South Karlov, in the truck with another man.
Diaz was taken into custody after police searched the vehicle.
Burglars smash pickup truck window
Burglars smashed the rear window of a pickup truck parked on the street in the 5000 block of South La Crosse and stole a garage door opener inside. They then used the remote to open the garage door and stole assorted tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 45-year-old man, at about 3 a.m. Thursday, March 21.
Teen girl pushed to the ground, robbed
A 17-year-old West Lawn girl was pushed to the ground and robbed of her cellphone as she walked down a sidewalk in the 7100 block of South Ridgeway at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. The victim told police that a boy or man emerged from a gangway at 7136 S. Ridgeway just before he committed the crime. He fled in a gray vehicle with a dent on the passenger side. It had been parked in a nearby alley. The offender was described only as a black boy or man, hair in dreadlocks, wearing a red jacket and blue jeans. The victim’s knee was scraped from the fall, but she declined medical aid.
Charge man with threatening cops
A 46-year-old Archer Heights man was charged with aggravated assault after he allegedly
threatened two police officers at his home in the 4900 block of South Knox at 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, March 20.
Police responding to a call of a domestic disturbance said they found Michael Slivka on his front porch.
He allegedly approached an officer in a hostile manner, ripping off his shirt and saying, “I will kick your f~cking ass.” When a second officer warned Slivka that they would taser him if he persisted, he allegedly said, “I’ll kick your ass, too.”
Officers then tasered him twice before Slivka was apprehended. He was transported to Holy Cross Hospital, where medical staff removed the taser prongs from Slivka’s chest and stomach area.
Bust three in Ford City Mall scuffle
Three people were arrested at Ford City Mall at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16 after they reportedly scuffled with security
staff. Jacolby M. Coolidge, 24, of the 9000 block of South Justine; Chakuria D. Taylor, 21, of the 2400 block of West 62nd Street; and Lanasha S. Walker, 31, of the 8300 block of South Marshfield, were taken into custody in the mall.
Security officers at the mall told police that the dustup started when they asked Coolidge to remove his hoody. The mall has a “no hoody” policy.
Coolidge allegedly refused and was told he had to leave. When security staff tried to force him to leave, he allegedly became combative.
During the ensuing scuffle, Taylor and Walker allegedly jumped in, trying to help Coolidge.
All were charged with misdemeanor battery. Coolidge also was charged with criminal
trespass to land and assault after he allegedly threatened to return with a gun and “shoot up the mall.”
According to public records, Coolidge has been arrested four times by CPD since 2014, on charges that included unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He also has served time in state penitentiaries--twice on weapons convictions and once on a heroin-related conviction.
Nothing missing in 60th Street heist
Burglars broke into a home in the 6200 block of West 60th Street, but apparently did not steal anything. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 61-year-old man, as he and his wife returned home after shopping, at about 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16.
Reputed gang member shot while driving
A 37-year-old man—said by a law enforcement source to be a gang member--was shot in the back as he drove his vehicle in the 5800 block of South Hamlin just after 3 a.m. Thursday, March 24. He was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition. He said he was unable to provide police with a description of the shooter or the vehicle he fired from.
* * *
Want to work directly with Chicago Police to prevent crime in your neighborhood? If you live in and/or own a business in Beats 815 or 821 (see map) make plans to attend your next CAPS meeting, set for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 at St. Bruno School (south end, St. Joseph Room), 4839 S. Harding. 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.
* * *
A 43-year-old man was shot three times as he stood in the drive way of a home in the 8000 block of South Knox at about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. The victim told police that a maroon sedan pulled up and someone inside began firing at him, hitting him twice in the left armpit and once in the chest. The victim was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition.
Shot me with a BB gun during spat, woman says
 |
| Samuel Vazzana |
A 33-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery and aggravated assault after he allegedly used a BB gun to shoot a 29-year-old woman in the lower body, during an argument at a home in the 6700 block of West 63rd Place.
Samuel S. Vazzana, of the same block, was arrested at his home at 9:38 p.m. Saturday, March 16.
According to public records, Vazzana has been arrested three times by CPD since 2014, on charges that included domestic battery (twice) and possession of a controlled substance.
Cellphone buyer pepper sprayed, robbed
A 42-year-old Chicago Ridge man was pepper-sprayed and robbed in an alley near 79th and Whipple at 3:10 p.m. Thursday, March 21. The victim told police he was at the site to purchase a cellphone from a man he met on the OfferUp app. When the seller asked to see his cash and the victim complied, the seller sprayed the victim in the face, snatched the cash and ran away. He was described as a black man age 18-20, and 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds, with brown eyes and a dark complexion. He wore a gray hoody.
Pregnant woman accosted by boyfriend at McDonald’s
A 22-year-old woman who is eight months pregnant was accosted by her boyfriend as she worked at her job at the McDonald’s at 6720 W. Archer at 8:49 p.m. Thursday, March 21. The victim told police that her boyfriend, an 18-year-old Brighton Park man, walked into the restaurant and started arguing with her. When she told him to leave, he walked behind the counter and pulled her hair. He then fled the restaurant. The victim told police that her boyfriend is a gang member who has beaten her with a handgun in the past. He remains at large.
Man charged with weapons, drug violations
 |
| Gilberto Diaz |
A 27-year-old West Lawn man was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and narcotics possession after police reportedly found a handgun and a bag with a small amount of cocaine in his pickup truck.
Police responding to a call of two men drinking alcohol in the truck—parked in the 6300 block of South Kilbourn at 10:21 p.m. Wednesday, March 20—spotted Gilberto Diaz, of the 6200 block of South Karlov, in the truck with another man.
Diaz was taken into custody after police searched the vehicle.
advertisement
advertisement
Burglars smash pickup truck window
Burglars smashed the rear window of a pickup truck parked on the street in the 5000 block of South La Crosse and stole a garage door opener inside. They then used the remote to open the garage door and stole assorted tools. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 45-year-old man, at about 3 a.m. Thursday, March 21.
Teen girl pushed to the ground, robbed
A 17-year-old West Lawn girl was pushed to the ground and robbed of her cellphone as she walked down a sidewalk in the 7100 block of South Ridgeway at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 20. The victim told police that a boy or man emerged from a gangway at 7136 S. Ridgeway just before he committed the crime. He fled in a gray vehicle with a dent on the passenger side. It had been parked in a nearby alley. The offender was described only as a black boy or man, hair in dreadlocks, wearing a red jacket and blue jeans. The victim’s knee was scraped from the fall, but she declined medical aid.
Charge man with threatening cops
A 46-year-old Archer Heights man was charged with aggravated assault after he allegedly
 |
| Michael Slivka |
Police responding to a call of a domestic disturbance said they found Michael Slivka on his front porch.
He allegedly approached an officer in a hostile manner, ripping off his shirt and saying, “I will kick your f~cking ass.” When a second officer warned Slivka that they would taser him if he persisted, he allegedly said, “I’ll kick your ass, too.”
Officers then tasered him twice before Slivka was apprehended. He was transported to Holy Cross Hospital, where medical staff removed the taser prongs from Slivka’s chest and stomach area.
Bust three in Ford City Mall scuffle
Three people were arrested at Ford City Mall at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16 after they reportedly scuffled with security
 |
| Jacolby Coolidge |
Security officers at the mall told police that the dustup started when they asked Coolidge to remove his hoody. The mall has a “no hoody” policy.
Coolidge allegedly refused and was told he had to leave. When security staff tried to force him to leave, he allegedly became combative.
During the ensuing scuffle, Taylor and Walker allegedly jumped in, trying to help Coolidge.
All were charged with misdemeanor battery. Coolidge also was charged with criminal
 |
| Lanasha Walker |
According to public records, Coolidge has been arrested four times by CPD since 2014, on charges that included unlawful possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He also has served time in state penitentiaries--twice on weapons convictions and once on a heroin-related conviction.
 |
| Chakuria Taylor |
Burglars broke into a home in the 6200 block of West 60th Street, but apparently did not steal anything. The crime was discovered by the victim, a 61-year-old man, as he and his wife returned home after shopping, at about 2 p.m. Saturday, March 16.
# # #
