More video gaming yard signs reported stolen
Numerous yard signs opposing video gambling in Forest Park were reported stolen at 12:26 p.m. on April 18. Signs were reported stolen in the 400 block of Circle Avenue, the 400 and 800 blocks of Marengo Avenue, the 7300 block of Adams Street, the 500 block of Thomas Avenue, the 100 block of Lathrop Avenue, the 7600 block of Harrison Street, the 1100 block of Hannah Avenue and the 900 and 1000 blocks of Dunlop Street. Sixteen signs in all were reported stolen, but a member of the video gambling opposition estimated the number is closer to 30. Police said the signs were believed to have been stolen overnight.
A resident of the 600 block of Beloit Avenue later told police on April 20 that following the theft of his sign, $60 worth of potted plants were also stolen. The resident did not know if it might be related.
Forest Park man charged with numerous drug offenses
As part of an ongoing narcotics investigation, police reported charging Daniel E. Smalheiser, 29, of Forest Park at 10:37 p.m., April 22, with several drug offenses following the execution of a search warrant at his home in the 1000 block of Desplaines Avenue. Police stopped Smalheiser on a traffic violation as he was driving and escorted him back to his apartment where the search was conducted. Police reported recovering $1,080 in cash, 19.5 pills of ecstasy, numerous containers of marijuana wax, drug paraphernalia, 10 Phentermine Hydrochloride pills, a tab of LSD, several containers of marijuana oil and 50 grams of marijuana. Police also seized multiple weapons, including a .22 caliber rifle, a 9 mm pistol, ammunition and knives. Smalheiser was charged with possession of drug equipment, delivery of marijuana over 30 grams, two counts of manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance, four counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of more than 30 grams of marijuana.
Charged with heroin delivery
Margaret C. Stergulz, 43, of Oglesby, was charged at 5:07 p.m., April 23, with manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance at First Avenue and Harvard Street. Police said they recovered 21 grams of heroin in 34 packets following a traffic stop for a vehicle with a cracked windshield. Police said Stergulz began crying when asked if she had anything illegal in the vehicle and told them she had a small box with a glass pipe and a small amount of marijuana. When police asked if there was anything else illegal in the vehicle, Stergulz produced the heroin, according to a police report. Due to the amount of heroin in her possession, police charged her with intent to deliver.
Juveniles charged with burglary
A 16-year-old Oak Park teen and a 16-year-old Forest Park teen were each charged at 4:35 p.m., April 19, with burglary in the 7800 block of Madison Street. Police were called about two men fleeing a suspected criminal trespassing case and later located a teen fitting the description of one of the offenders. Police had the teen call the other and police were able to apprehend both. According to police, both teens were seen trying to open a fourth-floor window with a pry-type tool when they were seen and fled when a witness confronted them. Both teens were additionally charged with possession of burglary tools and criminal trespassing.
Delivery of marijuana
Police charged Ryan M. Chapmon, 29, of Maywood following a traffic stop at 3:38 p.m., April 18, with possession of marijuana and delivery of marijuana. Police said Chapmon was stopped at Roosevelt Road and Lathrop Avenue due to the registered owner of the vehicle having an active arrest warrant in DuPage County. Police said Chapmon was arrested on the warrant and was found to have a bag of marijuana in his pants pocket. Police recovered and seized $741 in several different denominations of cash and a bag of marijuana containing smaller packaged bags inside. Police said the total weight of the marijuana recovered was 33 grams.
Heroin found in traffic stop
Police charged a 38-year-old Batavia man at 8:38 p.m., April 18, with possession of heroin in the 7200 block of Roosevelt Road. Police said the man was seen holding a syringe and injecting something into his arm while sitting in a parked vehicle. Police reported recovering 10 small plastic bags of suspected heroin during the stop.
These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, April 18-24, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.
—Compiled by Matthew Hendrickson
