As she was sitting at the outdoor garden of R’ Place, a North Riverside woman heard a loud crash followed by a car alarm, according to police reports. As she looked out to see what the sound was, she reportedly observed a truck pulling away from her mother’s car and fleeing the parking lot. When she went to examine the car she noticed damage to her rear bumper.
When Forest Park police arrived at the scene at 6:47 p.m. on July 16, they were given a description of the truck that the women had allegedly observed. A truck matching the description was found driving south on Harlem Avenue at 47th Street.
Officers talked to the owner of the truck, Christopher Rudolph, 37, of Palos Hills, who said he had just left R’ Place, but did not recall hitting any cars. Rudolph also denied that there was any damage to his own truck. The policeman on the scene allegedly detected the scent of alcohol coming from Rudolph, but a Breathalyzer test revealed that he was under the legal limit.
Rudolph was charged with improper backing, leaving the scene of an accident, and failing to give information after striking an unattended vehicle.
Suspect loses foot race
Police officers were called to Wal-Mart at 1300 Desplaines Ave. on July 17 after one of Wal-Mart’s loss prevention agents allegedly chased down a thief in a nearby cemetery.
Talmon Hegwood, 60, was allegedly observed taking numerous items from the store’s shelves and placing them in Wal-Mart bags. As Hegwood left the store with the merchandise the loss prevention agent tried to stop him, but Hegwood started sprinting through the parking lot, according to a department report. Security guards chased the 60-year-old man and were able to catch him after he slid through an opening in a nearby cemetery fence.
As he was being held at Wal-Mart, Hegwood reportedly began threatening to kill all of the guards. He was transported to the Forest Park Police Department, and reportedly claimed that he would sue the police department for the way he had been handled.
At the police station, Hegwood said that his chest hurt and he needed to be taken to the hospital. A series of tests conducted at the Oak Park Hospital revealed that nothing was wrong with him, and Hegwood was taken back to the police department, according to a report.
Hegwood was charged with felony retail theft for the 22 shirts and baseball hats, valued at $279.
Man claims exempt from inquiry
While patrolling Jackson Boulevard, a Forest Park police officer saw a car driving without a front license plate and with something hanging from the rearview mirror. As the car drove by the officer, he also reportedly saw the back license plate was loose, hanging only from one screw.
The officer pulled the car over at 3:10 p.m. on July 17 and, as he stood beside the car, allegedly noticed the smell of marijuana. The driver provided his license and insurance, and the passenger in the car reportedly told the policeman that he was 16 years old, but didn’t have to provide any other information because he was wearing his seatbelt.
The driver of the car was asked if he had any marijuana and why his friend was being evasive about his identity. He responded that he hadn’t been smoking and he didn’t know why his friend was being deceptive. The officer then searched the car for marijuana, but couldn’t find anything, so he requested that a dog assist in the search. The dog allegedly discovered marijuana beside the passenger, who was then identified as Sinque Washington, 21.
The driver, who, according to police reports, did not smell of marijuana, was given a citation. Washington was charged with obstructing an officer and possession of cannabis.
Driver cited for marijuana
David Dieschbourg, 22, was pulled over at 1:02 a.m. July 18 after reportedly speeding through a red light at Madison and Desplaines avenues, and then crossing the yellow line several times.
When asked to identify himself, Dieschbourg allegedly misspelled his last name and incorrectly gave his age. The officer asked the driver if he had been drinking, to which he replied he had consumed two drinks. Dieschbourg allegedly failed several field sobriety tests and was taken into custody, but a Breathalyzer test determined his blood-alcohol level was .026. A second officer arrived on the scene to conduct a search of the car, and reportedly found four plastic bags filled with marijuana.
Dieschbourg was charged with driving under the influence, possession of marijuana and was given three traffic citations.
Anyone with information regarding the cases mentioned in this report, or on another matter, is encouraged to contact the department’s hotline at (708) 615-6239. Information may be left anonymously.
These items were taken from the records of the Forest Park Police Department between July 13 and July 20, 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 been adjudicated.
-Compiled by Jacob Boyer
