A Chicago woman was hospitalized after a fight at Pioneer Tap on March 3. At some point between 1:30 and 2:30 a.m., a female patron approached the victim at 7445 Randolph Blvd. about talking with her “significant other.” The offender allegedly pushed her several times in the chest. Afterward, the victim reported feeling tightness in her chest and went to the emergency room at the University of Illinois Hospital. There she was diagnosed with contusions to her chest wall. 

Starting a fire at the CTA station

Police responded to a call about a man smoking and lighting rolling paper on fire at the Forest Park Blue Line station on March 6. Officers arrived about 3 p.m. at 711 Desplaines Ave., according to a police report. A CTA employee told police that a man, dressed in dark, fur-lined coat and jeans, was smoking in front of the ticket machines inside the CTA building. The employee told the man he could not smoke inside and asked him to leave. The offender then started lighting his rolling papers on fire and putting them in the employee’s office. 

When police arrived, the man fled the station, running eastbound toward Desplaines Avenue. Officers caught him and, after a search, found two lighters. He was charged with reckless conduct and criminal trespass to state-supported land.  

Express truck stolen

DVL Express reported a truck stolen after a driver failed to return from a lengthy delivery. An employee from the transportation service firm told police a driver was assigned to make an out-of-state delivery on Feb. 7, according to a police report. The employee, who lives in California, left 1346 Hannah Ave. and arrived in California on Feb. 20, en route to his delivery destination. He reportedly never completed the delivery; as of March 6, the truck was still in California, according to its GPS. DVL Express has been unable to get in contact with the employee. 

IRS scammers harass elderly resident

An elderly Forest Park man reported that scammers have been harassing him, claiming they are from the Internal Revenue Service. Callers from the number 208-956-0435 have been directing robo-calls to a 71-year-old resident, alleging they are from the IRS, looking for him, and saying he will be arrested if he doesn’t call back immediately, according to a police report.  

Lost credit card 

After losing a credit card in a parking lot, a woman was charged nearly $400 in fraudulent purchases. At some point between 11 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. on March 8, a woman lost her TCF card at 1300 Desplaines Ave., according to a police report. Once she realized her card was gone, she checked her account and found an $18.43 charge at King Gas in Cicero; a $166 cash withdrawal from a Big Top 2 ATM in Cicero; and a $203 cash withdrawal from an ATM at Cardinal Liquors in North Riverside.

Warrants surface after citation for marijuana

Police arrested a Chicago man after they reportedly caught him smoking marijuana at the corner of Madison and Van Buren streets on March 9. An officer patrolling the area about 2:50 p.m., saw the man smoking something out if a multi-colored glass pipe, according to the police report. Smelling burnt cannabis, they approached the man, who said, “I’m sorry, man, I was just trying to hit this real quick.” His name turned up active warrants from Wisconsin and Cook County. He was issued a verbal warning for smoking marijuana in public, but was arrested on the in-state warrant. 

Man blocks gas station entrance

A Chicago man was cited for possession of cannabis on March 11, after blocking the entrance to Thornton’s gas station, 601 Harlem Ave., with his car. Police arrived about 11:30 p.m. As they approached the offender’s vehicle, they smelled a strong odor of cannabis. The man told officers he parked outside the gas station because he had to use the bathroom, but that he had done nothing wrong. He said the clerk became upset because he did not immediately move his car after being asked. A search of his vehicle uncovered less than two grams of cannabis.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, March 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