A man told police that as he drove into the alley at Madison Street and Burkhardt Court at 11:35 a.m. on May 11, a man entered his car and pulled out a large black handgun.

The offender demanded that the man give up his money and exit the car, which he did, walking to Schauer’s Ace Hardware, 7449 Madison St., to call police.

The 1985 Oldsmobile was found about 10 minutes later on the 7300 block of Harrison Street, with its keys removed but its headlights on and gearshift in drive. The gun was found on the driver’s seat covered by a towel.

The victim said he could identify his assailant if he saw him again, but said that a suspect identified by Oak Park police who matched the description he gave was not the offender.

The carjacker is described as a black male aged 18-20 and between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 9 inches in height. He was described as having short hair, a medium complexion and medium build, weighing about 150 pounds, and was wearing all black clothes and a hoody at the time of the incident.

Disturbed man found with coke

An employee of the Forest Home Cemetery alerted police on May 8 to a man who had entered the cemetery’s office seeking to turn himself in to police.

When Sgt. Michael Murphy arrived, the man, identified as Vernon Christopher, 35, of Aurora, appeared agitated, sweating and speaking rapidly. He told Murphy that the agents who had been following him told him through his car stereo to turn himself into police.

He then reached into his pocket and handed Murphy a bag of white powder which he told Murphy was cocaine.

Murphy summoned an ambulance, and after medics gave assurance that Christopher did not pose a danger to himself he was taken into custody. A white pen shaft was found in his front pocket containing more powder.

Christopher eventually told police that he had been high for five days and couldn’t take it anymore. He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, and the 2004 Saturn that he had been driving was towed.

Retail theft and battery

A manager at Osco, 7216 Circle Ave., reported a retail theft which occurred at about 2:30 p.m. on May 7.

The manager told Officer Marcin Scislowicz that he saw Steven Webb, 47, of Cicero, steal several items and conceal them on his person. He said when he tried to stop Webb from leaving, Webb pushed him and continued to flee from the scene.

Items taken included two cameras, batteries, and two TV remotes, with a total value of just over $80. Webb was arrested for retail theft and battery.

Burglary at auto repair shop

The owner of Jireh Vehicle Repair Shop, 1348 Hannah Ave., told police that unknown offenders entered the shop by breaking a window on the south end of the building between May 4 and 5.

The offenders apparently stole several compressed air tools, with an estimated total value of $7,000. Also missing was a radio valued at $170 and a battery charger valued at $199, as well as a change box containing about $7.

These items were taken from the records of the Forest Park Police Department between May 6 and May 14, 2006 and represent only a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Anyone named in this report has only been charged with a crime. The cases have not yet been adjudicated.

Compiled by Seth Stern