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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Charged with fighting with police
A 22-year-old Hyde Park man was charged with assault after he was arrested at a home in the 8100 block of South Kilpatrick at 3:47 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4.
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| Muhammad |
Ahmir Ali Muhammad, of the 5400 block of South Ellis, allegedly made a verbal threat against a 22-year-old woman during an argument. Two counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer were added after Muhammad allegedly fought with officers making the arrest. One officer was punched in the mouth, and another suffered a scratched neck, a CPD spokesman said. Further, Muhammad was wanted on two warrants, although a CPD spokesman declined to say what Muhammad was wanted for or what jurisdiction issued the warrants.
According to public records, Muhammad has been arrested five times by CPD since 2022 on such charges as battery, aggravated assault, criminal damage to property and unlawful use of a weapon.
Charge man with stealing Volvo from parking garage
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| Martinez |
A 22-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with aggravated possession of a stolen motor vehicle after he was arrested in front of 5314 W. 54th St. at 9:48 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25.
Luis A. Martinez, of the 5400 block of South Lorel, allegedly stole a silver Volvo from the car rental garage at 55th and Laramie. A CPD spokesman said as Martinez sped out of the garage, he crashed the car through a metal gate—prompting police to add a charge of criminal damage to property.
He also was charged with two counts of resisting arrest after he allegedly fought with officers at the scene.
Charged with retain theft, again
A 44-year-old Englewood man was charged with retail theft after he was arrested in the alley behind 5907 W. 63rd St. at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27.
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| Mattie |
Marquis D. Mattie, of the 6600 block of South Bishop, allegedly stole dog food and other merchandise from the 7-Eleven at 63rd and Austin, a CPD spokesman said. A charge of possession of drug paraphernalia was added when a pat-down yielded a glass pipe, the spokesman added.
According to public records, Mattie has been arrested 19 times by CPD since 2014, on charges that included retail theft (nine times), criminal trespass to property, assault, possession of a controlled substance, delivery of cocaine in close proximity to a school and violation of terms of bail.
Allegedly slapped, punched her in the head
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| Flores |
A 65-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 5600 block of South Menard at 10:32 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10.
Samuel Flores allegedly slapped and punched a 34-year-old woman in the head during an argument, a CPD spokesman said.
Charge Joliet man in Archer/Oak Park disturbance
A 21-year-old Joliet man was charged with negligent driving after he was arrested at 2:28 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15 during an intersection takeover at Archer and Oak Park. Isaac S. Salcido-Jimenez, of the 1100 block of West Catherine, allegedly participated in the illegal event. After he was apprehended, Salcido-Jimenez also was charged with improper use of registration, since the plates on the vehicle—a 2001 Ford Mustang—were registered to a different vehicle. A CPD spokesman said police at the scene seized, towed and impounded the car. CPD declined to release a mugshot of Salcido-Jimenez.
Charged with domestic battery
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| Matheus-Castillejo |
A 33-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested at his home in the 5700 block of West 64th Place at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30.
Francisco M. Matheus-Castillejo allegedly punched a 30-year-old woman in the head 11 times, threw her to the floor and put his foot on her neck, a CPD spokesman said.
A charge of criminal damage to property was added after he allegedly threw the woman’s cellphone to the floor.
He punched me in the face, woman says
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| Yofon |
A 29-year-old Clearing man was charged with domestic battery after he was arrested in the 6400 block of South Normandy at 7:33 p.m. Saturday, September 7.
Geno Yofon, of the 6600 block of West 63rd Street, allegedly punched a 27-year-old woman in the face during an argument, a CPD spokesman said.
Bust man on video rap at MDW
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| Gaona |
A 24-year-old Gage Park man was charged with placing a video device in a public place after he was arrested at Midway International Airport at 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1.
Sebastian Gaona, of the 3400 block of West 54th Street, allegedly used a cellphone to capture an image in a men’s bathroom at the airport, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.
Charged with breaking church windows
A 42-year-old Brighton Park man was charged with criminal damage to property after he was arrested outside Calvary Lutheran Church, 62nd and Kenneth, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3.
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| Gaona |
Marcos Gaona (aka Marco Castillo), of the 2600 block of West 39th Place, was found sleeping on the front steps of the church, a CPD spokesman said, and that a witness identified him as the man who used bricks to break several church windows in January 2023. Gaona also was wanted on a warrant, but the spokesman declined to say what he was wanted for or what jurisdiction issued the warrant.
According to public records, Gaona has been arrested nine times by CPD since 2017 on such charges as reckless conduct, criminal damage to property and assault. In February 2023, Gaona was charged two counts of arson, as criminal trespass to state land after he was arrested at Midway International Airport. Gaona allegedly set small fires in airport bathrooms on Jan. 18 and 31, 2023.
Claim driver had gun in vehicle
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| Presa |
A 22-year-old West Elsdon man was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 4247 W. 56th St. at 9:07 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1.
Angel Presa, of the 4000 block of West 56th Place, allegedly had a handgun under the front seat of his vehicle, a CPD spokesman said.
Charged, again, with driving on revoked license
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| Casas |
A 43-year-old West Lawn man was charged with driving on a revoked license after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 4355 W. 60th St. at 12:18 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5.
Valentin Casas, of the 6700 block of South Tripp, also was ticketed for not having an illuminated rear license plate.
According to public records, Casas has been arrested six times by CPD since 2015 on charges that included possession of a controlled substance, drinking alcohol on the public way and driving on a revoked license (four times).
Say woman had gun at MDW
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| Elkmann |
A 31-year-old woman from Valparaiso, Ind. Was charged with unlawful use of a weapon after she was arrested at Midway International Airport at 12:04 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9.
Sarah Elizabeth Elkmann allegedly tried to board a passenger jet with a handgun in her carryon bag, a CPD spokesman said.
Arrested in Vittum Park dustup
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| Almendares |
A 25-year-old Gage Park man was charged with violating an order of protection, domestic battery and criminal damage to property after he was arrested at an apartment in the 5100 block of South Cicero at 2:14 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29.
Jose Almendares, of the 5800 block of South Spaulding, allegedly broke a door that swung into the head of a 28-year-old woman, a CPD spokesman said.
According to public records, Almendares has been arrested 11 times by CPD since 2016 on such charges as obstructing identification, drinking on the public way, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license, domestic battery and criminal damage to property.
Man charged with kissing without consent
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| Divizio |
A 66-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with battery after he was arrested at the Senior Suites of Garfield Ridge, 5839 S. Harlem, at 11:25 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 15.
Peter J. Divizio allegedly kissed an 82-year-old woman on the mouth without her consent, a CPD spokesman said without elaborating.
Bust Yards man on license plate rap
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| Santana-Garcia |
A 26-year-old Back of the Yards man was charged with driving a vehicle bearing the license plate of another vehicle, after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 6155 W. 63rd St. at 4:50 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11.
Jairo Andres Santana-Garcia, of the 5100 block of South Laflin, was driving a vehicle with a false temporary license plate from Texas, a CPD spokesman said. Santana-Garcia also was charged with driving without a license.
Say man drove on revoked license
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| Vega |
A 36-year-old Garfield Ridge man was charged with driving on a revoked license after he was arrested during a traffic stop in front of 6515 S. Pulaski at 7:35 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5.
Gerardo Vega, of the 5600 block of South Austin, also was charged with driving a vehicle with no valid registration.
According to public records, Vega has been arrested five times by CPD since 2014 on charges that included drinking alcohol on the public way, possession of a controlled substance and DUI.
Charged with damaging door
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| Hunt |
A 22-year-old Chatham woman was charged with criminal damage to property after she was arrested outside a residence in the 5100 block of South Cicero at 5:51 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6.
Rebecca D. Hunt was apprehended by police responding to a “domestic disturbance” call. A 41-year-old man at the home told police that Hunt damaged a door at the residence.
Say man trespassed at library
An 18-year-old man was charged with criminal trespassing after he was arrested at the Archer Heights Branch Library, 5055 S. Archer, at 6:10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4.
Jorge Padilla allegedly refused to leave when told to do so. Charges of assault and aggravated battery were added after Padilla allegedly struck a paramedic attempting to care for him. A CPD spokesman did not say why an ambulance was summoned to care for Padilla.
Charged with stealing from store
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| Garcia |
A 23-year-old woman was charged with retail theft after she was arrested at Target, 4433 S. Pulaski, at 1:35 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1.
Rebbecca Garcia allegedly stole merchandise, although a CPD spokesman declined to say exactly what was allegedly stolen.
