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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Bust man after dustup at Dunkin’
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| Dionte Howard |
A 19-year-old Woodlawn man was charged with two counts of battery after he was arrested at the Dunkin’ Donuts at 4747 W. 79th St. at 2:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3.
Dionte A. Howard, of the 0-100 block of West 71st Street, allegedly spat in the face of a 40-year-old woman—a Dunkin’ employee—when she told him he had to leave the shop. Howard also allegedly punched a second employee—a 20-year-old man—in the face.
According to public records, Howard was arrested by CPD in February 2021 at his home and charged with domestic battery.
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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 822 or 824 (see map) make plans to attend your next CAPS meeting, set for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 1 online in webinar format. 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. Here is the link to join the event from your computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81082758495. To join via one-tap mobile, dial +13126266799,,81082758495#. Via landline telephone,
dial +1 312 626 6799. Webinar ID: 810 8275 8495.
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Charged again with retail theft
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| Victor Thigpen |
A 64-year-old Chicago Lawn man was charged with retail theft after he was arrested in the 3900 block of West 71st Street at 11:05 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 16.
Victor L. Thigpen, of he 7200 block of South Sacramento, allegedly stole merchandise from a nearby store. A CPD spokesman declined to name the store or say what was allegedly stolen, but a source in the neighborhood said the store was the Walgreens at 71st and Pulaski, and that Thigpen was apprehended across the street from the store after being pointed out by a Walgreens employee.
According to public records, Thigpen has been arrested 25 times by CPD since 2014, almost entirely on charges of retail theft or trespassing.
Allegedly punched woman in the head
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| Alberto Jaime |
A 31-year-old West Lawn man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 3700 block of West 59th Street at 11:19 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8.
Alberto Jaime allegedly pushed a 27-year-old woman against a wall and punched her in the head during an argument.
According to public records, Jaime has been arrested six times by CPD since 2016 on such charges as driving on a suspended license, reckless conduct, reckless driving, failure to give aid/report an accident, DUI, aggravated assault, battery and possession of a controlled substance.
He punched me in the head, woman says
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| Anton Redick |
A 30-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with domestic battery and violating and order of protection after he was arrested at his home in the 6300 block of South Archer at 10:07 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 18.
Anton M. Redick allegedly punched a 32-year-old woman in the head during an argument.
According to public records, Redick has been arrested six times by CPD since 2016.
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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 2 online in webinar format. 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. Here is the link to join the event from your computer: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84493488071.
To join via one-tap mobile, dial +13126266799,,84493488071#. Via landline telephone, dial +1 312 626 6799. Webinar ID: 844 9348 8071.
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Say man refused to leave MDW property
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| Jonathan Sanders |
A 34-year-old man was charged with criminal trespass to state land after he was arrested on Midway International Airport property at 8:59 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19.
Jonathan Cotteal Sanders allegedly refused to leave the premises after he was reportedly found sleeping on the sixth floor of a parking garage on the east side of Midway, at 5601 S. Cicero.
A charge of assault was added after Sanders allegedly raised his fist in a threatening manner at a police officer.
According to public records, Sanders has been arrested four times by CPD since 2017, each time charged with criminal trespassing.
Charge Scottsdale man with domestic battery
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| Toyoun Hampton |
An 18-year-old Scottsdale man was charged with two counts of domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 8600 block of South Kenton at 12:45 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 23.
Toyoun R. Hampton allegedly punched another 18-year-old man in the face during an argument. He also allegedly hit a 37-year-old woman in the face, accidentally, as she attempted to break up the fight.
A charge of criminal damage to property was added after Hampton reportedly broke a screen, a CPD spokesman said.
Traffic stop leads to gun charge
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| Armand Diaz |
A 25-year-old man from suburban Elmhurst was charged with unlawful use of a weapon after he was arrested during a traffic stop in the 3300 block of West 55th Street at 8:05 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7.
Armand S. Diaz, of the 400 block of Howard, was pulled over for allegedly failing to signal a turn. A search of his vehicle yielded a handgun, a CPD spokesman said.
Coincidentally, according to public records, Diaz was arrested CPD in the same block in September 2019. In that incident, he was charged with driving on a suspended license.
Burglar hitting Walgreens, stealing liquor, cigarettes
Five smash-and-grab burglaries have occurred at two Southwest Side Walgreens in recent weeks, prompting police to issue a community alert.
Police declined to name the businesses, but a source in the neighborhood said the businesses hit are the Walgreens at 3943 W. 47th St. and 7045 S. Pulaski.
The 47th and Pulaski location was burglarized at 3:08 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 22; 5:53 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27; 12:38 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7; and 5:05 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8. The 71st and Pulaski store was hit at 7:20 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 30.
In each case, the offender used a rock, brick or other hard object to smash the front-door glass, crawl inside, steal liquor and cigarettes, and run out a rear emergency exit.
Police were only able to describe the offender as a masked black man age 28-40, about 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-11, and 170-200 pounds.
Those with useful information to share about the crimes are asked to call CPD Area 1 detectives at (312) 747-8380 and refer to crime pattern P22-1-024.
Charged with domestic battery
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| Xavier Flores |
A 24-year-old Scottsdale man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 7800 block of South Komensky at 7:24 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4.
Xavier Flores allegedly pulled the hair of a 24-year-old woman during an argument, forcing her to the floor and then slapping her face, a CPD spokesman said.
Charge West Lawn man with domestic battery
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| Jesus Contreras |
A 48-year-old West Lawn man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 7100 block of South Ridgeway at 11:26 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5.
Jesus Contreras allegedly grabbed the arms and face of a 54-year-old woman during an argument. A CPD spokesman said the woman suffered an abrasion above her lip.
Robbers hit West Lawn
A pair of armed robberies in the south end of West Lawn has prompted police to issue a community alert.
Crime scenes include:
• 3800 block of West 71st Street at 11:58 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5.
• 7100 block of South Avers at 1 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 6.
The armed robbers were described as three to four black boys or men ages 11-19. Those with useful information to share about the crimes are asked to call CPD Area 1 detectives at (312) 747-8380 and refer to crime pattern P22-1-025.
In the wake of the crimes, police offered this advice:
• Always be aware of your surroundings.
• Report suspicious activity immediately.
• If you are confronted by an assailant, remain calm.
• Remember any unique physical characteristics (such as scars, limp, acne, teeth).
• Never pursue a fleeing assailant; instead, provide the information to the police.
• If approached by a witness to the incident, request contact information.
• Dial 9-1-1 immediately and remain on scene when possible.
