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.
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Brighton traffic stop leads to drug bust
A 27-year-old Ashburn man was charged with possession of a controlled substance after he was arrested during a traffic stop in the 3800 block of South California at 5:34 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8.
Rafael Ceja, of the 3900 block of West 84th Place, allegedly was found to be in possession of crack cocaine, police said.
Refused to leave Orion, police say
A 40-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with criminal trespass to land after he was
arrested at Orion restaurant, 5772 S. Archer, at 8:38 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1.
Mario Pecina, of the 5400 block of South Laramie, allegedly refused to leave the
establishment when told to do so. A charge of battery was added after Pecina allegedly hit another person.
According to public records, Pecina has been arrested by CPD 15 times since 2014, on such charges as domestic battery, assault, violating an order of protection, criminal trespass to a residence and failure of a sex offender to register with authorities.
According to the Illinois State Police, Pecina was convicted in 2005 of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old child in Alabama.
Pushed me to the ground, elderly man tells police
A 33-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 6400 block of West 64th Place at 5:50 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2.
Cary Wanko allegedly pushed a 72-year-old man to the ground during an argument, a CPD spokesman said.
According to public records, Wanko was arrested by CPD last September in the 2600 block of North Narragansett and charged with driving on a suspended license.
Charge woman with drug possession
A 49-year-old West Elsdon woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance after she was arrested in the 5700 block of South Meade at 2:33 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5.
Christine Chavez, of the 5300 block of South Kilbourn, allegedly was spotted “making a drug transaction” with a person sitting in a vehicle, a CPD spokesman said.
Arrest pair found in stolen vehicle
A 23-year-old Hearst area woman and a 20-year-old Archer Heights man were charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle after they were arrested in the 5000 block of West 45th Street at 4:12 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25.
Paige K. Santana, of the 4500 block of South Lawler, and Jose A. Uribe, of the 5000 block of South Keeler, were reportedly found sitting in a stolen vehicle.
According to public records, Santana has been arrested 14 times by CPD in the last two
years on charges that included criminal trespass to a vehicle (five times), possession of a controlled substance and soliciting rides on a public roadway.
Say woman stole from 7-Eleven
A 22-year-old Clearing woman was charged with retail theft after she was arrested at the 7-Eleven at 63rd and Austin at 11:43 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3.
Liliana J. Vasquez, of the 5800 block of West 63rd Street, allegedly stole snack items from the store, a CPD spokesman said.
According to public records, Vasquez was arrested by CPD in October 2019 in the 1100 block of West Montrose and charged with DUI.
Say man drove on suspended license
A 32-year-old Archer Heights man was charged with driving on a suspended license after his vehicle was curbed by police in the 6800 block of West Archer at 3:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20.
Enrique Napoles, of the 4700 block of South Avers, was stopped after police noticed a cracked windshield, a CPD spokesman said.
According to public records, Napoles has been arrested six times by CPD since 2015 on charges that included battery, possession of a controlled substance and failure of a convicted gun offender to report to authorities.
 |
| Rafael Ceja |
A 27-year-old Ashburn man was charged with possession of a controlled substance after he was arrested during a traffic stop in the 3800 block of South California at 5:34 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8.
Rafael Ceja, of the 3900 block of West 84th Place, allegedly was found to be in possession of crack cocaine, police said.
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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, March 4 at St. Bruno School (St. Joseph Room, south end of building), 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.
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Refused to leave Orion, police say
A 40-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with criminal trespass to land after he was
Mario Pecina, of the 5400 block of South Laramie, allegedly refused to leave the
 |
| Mario Pecina |
According to public records, Pecina has been arrested by CPD 15 times since 2014, on such charges as domestic battery, assault, violating an order of protection, criminal trespass to a residence and failure of a sex offender to register with authorities.
According to the Illinois State Police, Pecina was convicted in 2005 of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old child in Alabama.
Pushed me to the ground, elderly man tells police
 |
| Cary Wanko |
A 33-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 6400 block of West 64th Place at 5:50 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2.
Cary Wanko allegedly pushed a 72-year-old man to the ground during an argument, a CPD spokesman said.
According to public records, Wanko was arrested by CPD last September in the 2600 block of North Narragansett and charged with driving on a suspended license.
Charge woman with drug possession
 |
| Christine Chavez |
A 49-year-old West Elsdon woman was charged with possession of a controlled substance after she was arrested in the 5700 block of South Meade at 2:33 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5.
Christine Chavez, of the 5300 block of South Kilbourn, allegedly was spotted “making a drug transaction” with a person sitting in a vehicle, a CPD spokesman said.
Arrest pair found in stolen vehicle
 |
| Paige Santana |
A 23-year-old Hearst area woman and a 20-year-old Archer Heights man were charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle after they were arrested in the 5000 block of West 45th Street at 4:12 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25.
Paige K. Santana, of the 4500 block of South Lawler, and Jose A. Uribe, of the 5000 block of South Keeler, were reportedly found sitting in a stolen vehicle.
According to public records, Santana has been arrested 14 times by CPD in the last two
 |
| Jose Uribe |
Say woman stole from 7-Eleven
 |
| Liliana Vasquez |
A 22-year-old Clearing woman was charged with retail theft after she was arrested at the 7-Eleven at 63rd and Austin at 11:43 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3.
Liliana J. Vasquez, of the 5800 block of West 63rd Street, allegedly stole snack items from the store, a CPD spokesman said.
According to public records, Vasquez was arrested by CPD in October 2019 in the 1100 block of West Montrose and charged with DUI.
Say man drove on suspended license
 |
| Enrique Napoles |
A 32-year-old Archer Heights man was charged with driving on a suspended license after his vehicle was curbed by police in the 6800 block of West Archer at 3:45 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20.
Enrique Napoles, of the 4700 block of South Avers, was stopped after police noticed a cracked windshield, a CPD spokesman said.
According to public records, Napoles has been arrested six times by CPD since 2015 on charges that included battery, possession of a controlled substance and failure of a convicted gun offender to report to authorities.
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