Forest Park police made several arrests during and after the 4th of July fireworks display, 10-10:30 p.m. Assisted by WEDGE, Forest Park police had reinforcement officers from neighboring communities. Cops picked up a Maywood 17-year-old who was observed dropping smoke bombs and firecrackers in the crowd. He was given a squad car ride home and released to his mother. Two men, both 20 and from Maywood, were arrested after one was allegedly seen ‘aggressively staring at passing pedestrians.” He was also carrying a green hand towel, which police said was covering a pair of brass knuckles. When police announced he was under arrest, the second man allegedly tried to prevent police from handcuffing his friend, and he too was arrested. The man with the illegal weapon reportedly stated he ‘was just looking out for himself out there.” They were charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and obstructing justice. Two other minors, hometowns not given, were seen throwing bricks at people and cars in the 1000 block of Thomas Avenue. Police charged them with criminal damage to property. A third man, 20, from Brookfield, who reportedly yelled at police officers and interfered with their arrest, was charged with resisting arrest, simple assault and obstructing justice.

Woman beaten unconscious post-fireworks

Police found a woman unconscious on the ground in a parking lot in the 7500 block of Roosevelt Road, surrounded by a group of people about 10:30 p.m. on July 4. Witnesses pointed to a 21-year-old Bellwood man, who told police they had a child together and he had fought with her after she allegedly mocked him and attacked his 2002 Gray Pontiac Belleville sedan with her cellphone. @

According to reports, the woman was lying on her back on the pavement with her eyes open and a large bump on her forehead, bleeding from her right eye. Officers summoned an ambulance as she did not respond to verbal commands and then started to shudder and froth at the mouth. She was transported to Loyola University Hospital Emergency Room. Witnesses reportedly told police they saw the man sitting on top of the woman on the pavement smashing her head against the cement. The car was observed to be damaged, with several panels cracked and pulled away from the vehicle and the windshield smashed in on the passenger side. The man was charged with domestic battery.

Robbed by cyclist@

Two women walking in the 1000 block of Circle about 1 a.m. on July 5 heard a bicycle approaching from the rear and a voice say ‘watch out behind you.” The male rider stopped his bike, dismounted and then allegedly approached them, grabbing one by the front of her shirt and repeatedly saying, ‘Where is it? Wherefs the money?” When the victim took out her Sprint HTC Evo cellphone to call 911, the man allegedly grabbed it and then put one of his hands around her neck. The second woman tried to help her friend, but the man allegedly pushed her to the ground, causing her to bump her head on the concrete. A passing cab picked up the women, and the driver told police he saw the man ride off on his bicycle.

Expired plate uncovers drug stash

Three men in their 20s from Barrington, Hoffman Estates and Hawthorn Woods were stopped at Harlem and Washington after officers observed an expired registration on a blue 1999 Toyota RAV4, July 8 at 8:20 p.m. Officers observed the passengers making animated movements in the carfs interior and when asked to exit the vehicle, the driver held a plastic bag containing an off-white powdery substance that later tested positive for heroin. Police also uncovered crack cocaine, three hypodermic syringes, a bag of cannabis and a glass pipe with a burnt end. The three were charged with sale and delivery of drugs/paraphernalia and possessing a controlled substance. @

These items were obtained from the records of the Forest Park Police Department, July 2-8, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anyone named in the report has only been charged with a crime.

– Compiled by Jean Lotus