Clearing Night Force, police work together
By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post
When members of the Clearing Night Force complained to the
Chicago Lawn (8th) District CAPS Office last fall about a man they consider to be a menace to the community, authorities listened and took action.
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| Gregory Petrulias |
Chicago Lawn (8th) District CAPS Office last fall about a man they consider to be a menace to the community, authorities listened and took action.
The result was an arrest of 55-year-old Gregory Petrulias, a convicted sex offender allegedly involved in other crimes.
In response to the complaint made in November, police said they “learned that Greg had possibly been utilizing a stolen Toyota Camry that was taken from 63rd and Narragansett and had fictitious license plates,” according to CPD Lt. Michael Poppish. “We set up a nationwide alert on those license plates and were able to locate the stolen vehicle on [Dec. 2] at a truck stop in Bridgeview. Our officers were then able to catch Greg inside that vehicle and place him under arrest.”
Felony charges against Petrulias were approved for unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
Petrulias was later released on bond, but was arrested again on Saturday, Jan. 2—this time during a traffic stop in the 5600 block of West 63rd Place, a less than two blocks from his home. This time he was charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle, as well as violating the terms of his bail.
Petrulias was arrested again on Monday, Jan. 18 during a traffic stop in the 6200 block of West 64th Place. This time he was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle. He also was wanted on a warrant.
Bond was denied, and Petrulias is facing several court dates in relation to the various charges.
“This is a great example of how CAPS is designed to work,” added CAPS Sergeant Matthew Malloy. “Members of a volunteer neighborhood watch group obtained good information about person who has had a negative impact on the area for years, reached out to the community policing staff who then assigned the right officers to investigate. This guy is now off the streets, hopefully for a long time.”
According to public records, when Petrulias was 39 years old, he engaged in indecent solicitation of a 12-year-old child.
People who live in CPD Beat 812 (all of Clearing west of Central Avenue) are encouraged to join the Clearing Night Force.
Among all neighborhood watch groups on the Southwest Side, the CNF is the oldest, founded in 1996. CNF members patrol in their own vehicles for four hours a month. For details, visit clearingnightforce.com.
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