Victim asked if he wants to turn the other cheek
A man walked by St. John Lutheran Church, 305 Circle Ave., about 5:46 p.m. on Feb. 7. As he passed a man standing there, he offered a friendly “hello.” The man reportedly responded by punching him on the right cheek and asking, “You want more of this?”
The victim continued walking south on Circle Avenue and called 911. The offender followed him. The victim ducked inside a bar at the intersection at Circle and Madison. Police arrived and questioned the offender, who was standing outside the bar door, if he had just been involved in an altercation. The man responded, “I don’t know, have I?” and stuffed his hands in his coat pockets.
Police asked him to remove his hands from his pockets. The man refused, responding, “Why? Am I dangerous to you?” Officers searched and handcuffed the suspect, who shouted toward the victim, “You gonna come to lots of court dates? You better.” The victim said he does not know the offender. Officers transported the offender to the station and charged him with battery.
Head-butts, punches CTA security
A Chicago man punched and head-butted a CTA employee after refusing to get off a Blue Line train, 711 Desplaines Ave., according to a police report.
CTA security told police they informed the man that he had to get off at the end of the Blue Line, on Feb. 6. The man responded by punching one security officer in the chest, and head butting another in the chest. Security called police and handcuffed the offender.
Officers arrived at the station about 2:48 a.m. and tried to speak with the offender, but he was too drunk. Police searched the man and fond a stun gun in a soft holster in his waistband. Police transferred him to the station and charged him with two counts of battery.
Stolen, stripped tractor
A tractor was stolen from Eagle Express Lines, 1900 Desplaines Ave., at 10:20 p.m. on Feb. 2, according to a police report. A manager for the company said that’s where Eagle Express parks vehicles not currently in use. The vehicle was not running and, to the best of his knowledge, was locked. He discovered the vehicle was stolen on the morning of Feb. 4, after its GPS indicated it was in Gary, Indiana. About 8:30 a.m. on Feb.5, Gary police recovered the tractor at 3125 W. 4th Ave. in Gary. The tractor’s wheels, rims and batteries were missing.
Breaks into lot to retrieve towed car
A Forest Park man was arrested for criminal trespassing, after trying to break into NOBS Towing Company to retrieve his car, which had been towed for violating the snow route ordinance.
The man approached 1510 Hannah Ave. about 10:10 a.m. on Feb. 6 and told the company he wanted his car but wouldn’t pay the $200 fine, according to the police report. The man mentioned something about shooting someone, which is when the company called the police. The offender told police multiple times that he would not leave and that they should just arrest him. Police told him they didn’t want to arrest him and that he should just pay the fine. An officer asked him if he had any weapons. The man gave police consent to search him and said, “Ya’ll gonna have to shoot an unarmed man.” He later exited the towing company, walking north on Hannah Avenue.
But when an employee opened the car lot a short while later, the man returned and attempted to enter. The company again called police, and officers asked the man to leave. The offender refused and again tried to enter the car lot. Police charged him with criminal trespass to property.
Copper theft, attempted and successful
A Park District of Forest Park employee noticed a bent copper pipe on the building while surveying the area about 1:45 p.m. on Feb. 8, according to a police report. The employee told police it looked like someone tried unsuccessfully to remove the pipe at 7501 Harrison St. About a week ago, the park district was victimized by a similar theft.
Someone stole copper pipes from a 2-story home on Harlem Avenue. The owner told police he purchased the home as an investment about a year ago, but he hadn’t visited the home in about two weeks. Police surveyed the scene, and discovered offenders forced their way in through the back door, and took copper piping valued at roughly $2,500 from the basement, first floor and second floor. The man said squatters have previously broken into the home.
These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Feb.5-12, 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 Nona Tepper
