Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Garage Burglar Hits Clear-Ridge

By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post

Three garage burglaries in the area have prompted police to issue a warning.


Crime scenes include:

• 5500 block of South Melvina at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 21. 
• 5600 block of South Massasoit at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, April 2. 
• 5500 block of West 63rd Place at about 8:40 p.m. Sunday, April 2. 

Police said the burglar is described as a Hispanic man age 35-40 and 220 pounds.

Those with useful information to share are encouraged to call CPD Area 1 detectives at (312) 747-8380 and refer to crime pattern P23-1-071.

In the wake of the crimes, police advise:
  
• Keep the perimeter of your property well-lit.  
• Report suspicious activity immediately.
• Keep doors and windows secured.
• Immediately repair any broken windows, doors or locks.
• If video surveillance is available, save a copy of the incident for detectives.
• If you are a victim, do not touch anything. Call police immediately.
• If approached by a witness to the crime, request contact information.  

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Crime News Update

          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.


* * *

Driver shot in shoulder on Cicero
A 35-year-old man was shot in the shoulder as he drove his vehicle in the 4500 block of South Cicero at 3:01 a.m. Sunday, March 19. The victim was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was listed in fair condition. He told police the bullet shattered his vehicle’s rear window. No one is in custody.

Driver gets graze wound in his head
A 43-year-old man sustained a graze wound to his forehead as he drove a vehicle in the 6400 block of South Lawndale at 10:12 p.m. Saturday, March 18. He was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition. The victim told police he heard a loud sound and felt pain. He then realized a bullet had pierced his windshield. No one is in custody.



Charged with domestic battery
Merlos-Garcia



A 48-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 6300 block of South Long at 11:14 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12.


Mauricio Merlos-Garcia allegedly “became physical” with a 50-year-old woman during an argument, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.



Allegedly hit man at airport
Ray


A 34-year-old man from suburban Blue Island was charged with battery after he was arrested at Midway Airport at 6:36 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13.

Kenneth A. Ray, of the 12500 block of South Vincennes, allegedly struck a 35-year-old man in an attack described as “unprovoked” by a CPD spokesman, who declined to elaborate.

According to public records, Ray has been arrested six times by CPD since 2015 on such charges as theft, obstructing identification, criminal trespass to land and aggravated battery of a transit employee.




Arrested at MDW
Hernandez


A 50-year-old West Lawn man was charged with criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to state land after he was arrested at Midway International Airport at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15.

Jaime Hernandez, of the 6700 block of South Karlov, allegedly refused to leave airport grounds and then allegedly tore down several large photographs on the walls of the pedestrian bridge that spans Cicero Avenue.

According to public records, Hernandez has been arrested 24 times by CPD since 2016 on charges that included drinking alcohol on the public way, possession of a controlled substance, obstructing identification, retail theft, assault, battery and violating an order of protection.


Charged with trespassing at MDW
Robbins



A 30-year-old South Side man was charged with criminal trespass to state land after he was arrested at Midway International Airport at 7:55 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16. 

Olanda Robbins Jr., of the 200 block of East 51st Street, allegedly refused to leave airport grounds when told to do so by a security employee.

According to public records, Robbins has been arrested five times by CPD since 2015 on charges that included battery, domestic battery and theft.




Traffic shop leads to drug charge on 59th Street
Salcedo Salas


A 24-year-old Gage Park man was charged with possession of a controlled substance after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 4020 W. 59th St. at 8:17 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.

Manual Salcedo Salas, of the 5700 block of South Homan, was apprehended without incident. A CPD spokesman said officers making the stop saw and confiscated a rolled-up dollar bill with a white powdery substance inside. He also was charged with driving on a suspended license.

According to public records, Salcedo Salas has been arrested four times since 2015 on charges that included reckless conduct and possession of a marker with intent deface.


Charge woman with battery at MDW
Landry



A 48-year-old South Side woman was charged with battery after she was arrested at Midway International Airport at 1:04 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21.

Lucille T. Landry, of the 500 block of East 89th Place, allegedly punched a 25-year-old woman in the head during an argument. Police offered no other details.

According to public records, Landry was arrested by CPD in August 2019 near 73rd and Western and charged with battery.



Ford City shootout leads to multiple charges
               
A 20-year-old Little Village man was charged with armed violence, aggravated battery and burglary after he was arrested in the 7900 block of South Komensky at 12:41 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28.
Rodriguez


Giovanni J. Rodriguez, of the 2600 block of South Drake, allegedly burglarized a vehicle in a Ford City parking lot. When confronted by the owner, a 46-year-old man who is a valid FOID card and CCL holder, gunfire was exchanged—and Rodriguez allegedly shot the victim in the left thigh and right hand.

Rodriguez reportedly jumped in a waiting getaway vehicle, which sped away but crashed near the White Castle at 79th and Pulaski. Three people in that vehicle were taken into custody. One with a graze wound to his head was transported to a hospital, where he was listed in good condition. The 46-year-old man was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was listed in good condition.

A charge of being a fugitive from out of state was added after police discovered that Rodriguez was want by authorities in Wisconsin. A CPD spokesman declined further comment.

According to public records, Rodriguez has been arrested five times by CPD since 2020 on such charges as driving on a suspended license, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, reckless discharge of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance.


Arrested during dustup at gas station
Morocho

 

A 20-year-old North Side man was charged with criminal damage to property after he was arrested at the Mobil gas station at 8145 S. Pulaski at 5:56 a.m. Sunday. Jan. 29. 

Jimmy R. Farez Morocho, of the 5000 block of North Winthrop, allegedly damaged a vehicle belonging to a 55-year-old man during a fight.





She scratched my face, man says
Perelka


A 32-year-old Scottsdale woman was charged with domestic battery after she was arrested at her home in the 4600 block of West 79th Street at 3:02 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4.

Sonya M. Perelka allegedly scratched the face of a 23-year-old man during an argument.

According to public records, Perelka has been arrested three times by CPD since 2014 on such charges as domestic battery and DUI.


He slapped me, woman tells police
Perdue



A 37-year-old man from suburban Bridgeview was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested in the 8500 block of South Tripp at 2:40 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13. 


Jazzmon D. Perdue, of the 8800 block of South Harlem, allegedly slapped a 21-year-old woman in the face during an argument.




Charged with domestic battery
Botello


A 38-year-old Scottsdale man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 4300 block of West 77th Place at 5:17 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18.

Margarito T. Botello allegedly slapped a 43-year-old woman in the jaw during an argument.

According to public records, Botello has been arrested three times by CPD since 2018 on charges that included unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon.


Charged with crimes against a woman

A 37-year-old Ashburn man was charged with unlawful restraint and aggravated domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 8400 block of South Spaulding at 12:55 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19.
Smith


Nathaniel Smith allegedly stopped a 30-year-old woman from leaving the home, stripped off her clothes, threw her into a bed and choked her, a CPD spokesman said. He also was charged with possession of a gun and ammunition without a valid FOID card.

According to public records, Smith has been arrested seven times by CPD since 2017 on charges that included urinating on the public way, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass to land, criminal trespass to a vehicle and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.






Claim man crashed stolen vehicle
Alvarado


A 19-year-old Clearing man was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, as well as criminal damage to property, after he was arrested at 2:52 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. 

Aidan Alvarado, of the 6000 block of South Meade, reportedly was the driver of a vehicle that crashed into a light pole near 63rd and Austin. He reportedly bailed out and ran away on foot, but was apprehended a short distance away.

According to public records, Alvarado was arrested by CPD at 78th and Pulaski last June and charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and illegal possession of ammunition.


Claim man would not leave airport
Jordan


A 25-year-old West Englewood man was charged with criminal trespass to state land after he was arrested near a ticket counter at Midway International Airport at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 7.

Traives R. Jordan, of the 6500 block of South Marshfield, allegedly refused to leave the airport when ordered to do so by security staff. A charge of assault was added when Jordan allegedly threatened a police sergeant at the scene.

Five days earlier, Jordan was arrested at Midway and charged with trespassing.





Charge man with trespassing at MDW
Perez



A 33-year-old man was charged with criminal trespass to state land after he was arrested at Midway International Airport at 10:43 p.m. Saturday, March 4.

Jorge Perez reportedly would not leave airport grounds when ordered to do so.

A month earlier, Perez was arrested at 500 N. State and charged with smoking on CTA property.


Traffic stop leads to gun charge
Rios

 


A 32-year-old West Lawn man was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 6226 S. Kostner at 3:43 p.m. Monday, March 6.

Oscar J. Rios, of the 6400 block of South Karlov, allegedly had a loaded handgun inside a book bag, a CPD spokesman said. He also was charged with driving on a revoked license.



Charged again with domestic battery
Pickering


A 27-year-old Loop man was charged with domestic battery and violating an order of protection after he was arrested in the 4800 block of South Lawler at 1:47 a.m. Wednesday, March 1.

Zachary T. Pickering, of the 300 block of East South Water, allegedly grabbed a 26-year-old woman by the hair and punched her in the face, a CPD spokesman said. 

According to public records, Pickering has been arrested four times by CPD since 2021, three times on domestic battery charges.