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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Boy on skateboard shot in the back
A 15-year-old boy was listed in serious condition at Advocate Christ Medical Center after he was shot in the back. Police said the victim was riding his skateboard in the 6500 block of South Hamlin at about 12:45 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 when he suddenly stopped a person to ask if he had been shot. The person spotted a gunshot wound, and the teen was taken the hospital. No one is in custody.
Teenager shot in the leg
A 17-year-old boy was shot in the leg as he and others stood on a sidewalk in the 3600 bock of West 70th Street at 12:14 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. Police said the shooter was described as a Hispanic man who emerged from a white SUV and fired before getting a back in and speeding away. The victim was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition. No one is in custody.
Shot five times on 71st Street
A 26-year-old man was shot five times in his stomach and arms as he drive his vehicle in the 3900 block of West 71st Street at 9:55 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12. The victim was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition. The shooter fired from a gray SUV. No one is in custody.
Claim man carried illegal drugs
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| Bryan Townshend |
A 31-year-old West Lawn man was charged with possession of a controlled substance after he was arrested during a traffic stop in the 5900 block of South California at 7:41 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2.
Bryan L. Townshend, of the 7100 block of South Harding, allegedly was found to be in possession of illegal drugs after he was pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt, a CPD spokesman said.
Teen shot while driving
A 17-year-old boy was shot in the foot as he drove his vehicle in the 7900 block of South Pulaski just before 10 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20. The teen told police that the shooter fired from a silver four-door sedan. He drove himself to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition. No one is in custody.
Charged with four counts of domestic battery
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| Pedro Martinez |
A 22-year-old Scottsdale man was charged with four counts of domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 8300 block of South Kolin at 10:25 p.m. Tuesday, July 28.
Pedro Martinez allegedly struck a 45-year-old woman, a 33-year-old man, a 21-year-old woman and a 15-year-old boy during a family argument, a CPD spokesman said. A charge of criminal damage to property was added after Martinez allegedly damaged a door as he tried to force his way into the residence, the spokesman added.
According to public records, Martinez was arrested by CPD in October 2017 in the 8300 block of South Kenton and charged with domestic battery.
Bust three on looting charge
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| Javier Paredes |
Three people were charged with looting and burglary after they were arrested at 4140 S. Pulaski just before 1 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Javier Paredes, 34, and Evangelina Perez, 34, both of the 6000 block of South California; and Lydia Rodriguez, 29, of the 6000 block of South Pulaski, were allegedly caught loading merchandise into a vehicle after a witness alerted police.
A CPD spokesman said the trio had broken into a retail store at that address.
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| Evangelina Perez |
According to public records, Paredes has been arrested 11 times by CPD since 2014 on charges that included retail theft (five times), aggravated battery of a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance and violating terms of bail.
According to public records, Perez has been arrested three times by CPD since 2015 on charges that included theft, battery and driving on a suspended license.
According to public records, Rodriguez has been arrested eight times by CPD since 2014 on such charges as criminal trespass to a residence, criminal
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| Lydia Rodriguez |
trespass to a vehicle, unlawful use of a weapon/shotgun and criminal trespass to real property.
Good Samaritan tackles alleged robber
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| Daniel Gaertner |
A 31-year-old North Side man was charged with robbery after he was arrested in front of the McDonald’s at 47th and Cicero at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8.
Daniel M. Gaertner, of the 3000 block of North Linder, allegedly accosted a 59-year-old woman, pushed her to the sidewalk and took her belongings. A CPD spokesman said that as Gaertner began to flee on foot, a Good Samaritan tackled Gaertner and held him until police arrived.
According to public records, Gaertner has been arrested five times by CPD since 2014—almost entirely because he was wanted on warrants.
Allegedly violated order of protection
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| Efrain O'Neill |
A 31-year-old Brighton Park man was charged with violating an order of protection after he was arrested at his home in the 4600 block of South Spaulding at 3:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Efrain Garcia O’Neill allegedly had unlawful contact with a 32-year-old woman, a CPD spokesman said.
The arrest came a month after O’Neill was arrested for allegedly punching the woman in the face during an argument.
According to public records, O’Neill has been arrested 13 times since 2016 on such charges as domestic battery (six times), criminal damage to property, burglary and criminal trespass to land.
Claim woman was porch pirate
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| Brenda Brito |
A 28-year-old Archer Heights woman was charged with theft and battery after she was arrested in the 5800 block of South Archer at 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Brenda Brito, of the 4900 block of South Tripp, allegedly stole a package off a 34-year-old woman's porch in the 5700 block of South Archer; and then when confronted by a 21-year-old man, punched him in the face.
According to public records, Brito has been arrested five times by CPD since 2015 on charges that included retail theft and drinking alcohol on the public way.
Charge man with burglary
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| Antonio Upchurch |
A 22-year-old South Side man was charged with burglary after he was arrested in the 6700 block of West Archer at 11:10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Antonio Upchurch, of the 9100 block of South Saginaw, allegedly was caught burglarizing Horan Glass Block, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.
Kicked me in the shins, woman says
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| Robert Miller |
A 54-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 6100 block of South Narragansett at 5:10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10.
Robert J. Miller allegedly kicked a 68-year-old woman in the shins during an argument.
Charged with domestic battery
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| Osvaldo Castillo |
A 26-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested in the 6300 block of South New England at 9:09 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9.
Osvaldo J. Castillo allegedly pushed a 54-year-old woman during an argument.
According to public records, Castillo has been arrested six times by CPD since 2015 on such charges as DUI/drugs, driving on a suspended license and reckless conduct.
Claim man burglarized garage
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| Jeffrey Terry |
A 53-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with burglary after he was arrested at his home in the 5300 block of West 54th Street at 1:59 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Jeffrey Terry was reportedly identified as the man who burglarized a garage in the 5000 block of South Fairfield on Aug. 1. A CPD spokesman said Terry was IDed based on surveillance camera footage.
According to public records, Terry has been arrested three times by CPD since 2014 on charges that included possession of a controlled substance and criminal trespass to state land.
Allegedly hit woman
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| Robert Schwamlein |
A 32-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested in the 3700 block of South Archer at 9:32 p.m. Thursday, July 30.
Robert Schwamlein, of the 6900 block of West 65th Street, allegedly struck a 31-year-old woman during an argument. A charge of assault was added after he allegedly threatened an officer arresting him.
According to public records, Schwamlein has been arrested four times by CPD in the last six years, including a July 2014 arrest for robbery near 38th and Spaulding.
