A man on the 7200 block of Randolph Avenue allegedly pretended to be a police officer on June 26 at 2 p.m. According to the police report, he was using his car, which displayed an IL law enforcement vanity plate, to “brake check” the car in back of him, which means that he would randomly hit his breaks, causing the car in back of him to stop abruptly each time.
He placed his vehicle in such a way that it prevented the driver behind him from continuing through the intersection when the light they were stopped at turned green. The driver behind him managed to pull her car closer and asked him to move his vehicle, at which time he got out of his car and flashed what the victim said appeared to be a fake police badge at her.
He called her names, including profanities, and told her he was the police and would lock her up. He got in his vehicle, and proceeded through the intersection, the woman still behind him. But then he again slammed on his brakes. This time he got out of the car, walked to the woman’s car, and yelled, “That’s it, b****. I’m gonna shoot you.”
The victim took a photo of his license plate and called 9-1-1. By the time police arrived, the suspect has already left the scene. After running his plates, they discovered that he has a valid concealed carry license and FOID card. Police completed an Illinois State Police Clear and Present Danger request.
Money stolen from gym locker
A patron of Planet Fitness, 7530 Roosevelt Rd., returned to his locker after working out to find his personal lock had been removed and approximately $160 missing from his wallet on June 18 at 6:58 p.m.
Men drinking on Madison Street accuse police of racial profiling
An anonymous bar worker called police on June 18 at 8:26 p.m. to report a group of men were drinking outside next to a green Land Rover and coming in and out of a clothing store at 7451 Madison St. They were also allegedly drinking out of small white plastic cups on the park bench in front of the store at that location.
Police were unable to respond until around 9:44 p.m. due to a shooting earlier on Van Buren Street near Madison Street and high call activity, but when they arrived, they observed the Land Rover and saw one of the subjects standing near a building entrance holding a small white cup. The other two suspects were nearby with cups next to them on the ground.
The man holding a cup allegedly tried to hide it behind a pillar as the officer approached, but when asked what they were drinking, he said it was tequila.
According to the police report, the three men accused the officer of racially profiling them because they are Black, stating that everyone comes out of bars with cups. They also denied being the same individuals reported to be drinking outside the Range Rover earlier in the evening.
The men were given local ordinance citations and will appear in court at village hall in August
Window broken in house
A man on the 7500 block of Franklin Avenue was awakened on June 20 at 12:22 a.m. by the sound of glass shattering. He discovered a window in his living room had been smashed. He didn’t see anyone in the area and doesn’t have any idea who might have done it. He told police, however, that his back window was broken twice last year by unknown subjects.
A witness said she saw a man in all red running westbound through the Franklin/Brown alley. Police canvassed the area but didn’t find the suspect.
Loss prevention officer assaulted
A loss prevention supervisor at Walmart, 1300 Desplaines Ave., was assaulted by an alleged thief on June 21 at 3:11 p.m. The employee watched the man on surveillance cameras concealing items in a backpack he’d taken off the shelf as well as putting on some items of apparel. He recognized the man from previous incidents at the store.
As the subject proceeded past the last point of purchase, the employee stopped him so he could escort him to the loss prevention office. At that point, the subject returned the merchandise, except for a Cubs hat which he was wearing. Then, as the two entered the vestibule next to the loss prevention office, the suspect lunged at the employee with both hands, pushing him so hard he fell. The suspect then fled the store.
“Younger” male on bike breaks window
A “younger” male subject was caught on surveillance camera breaking a car window on June 21 at 8 p.m. According to the police report, the subject is observed riding a small bicycle down the alley between Harlem Avenue and Elgin Avenue. He stops and gets off his bicycle, already with a piece of concrete in his hand. After briefly looking around, he throws the concrete through the rear windshield of a vehicle. Then he gets back on his bike and rides away.
Tire caps missing, air released from tires
The tire caps were missing and air had been released from the front and rear passenger side tires of a car on the 7400 block of Franklin Avenue. The owner of the vehicle discovered the situation on June 24 at 10:29 a.m.
Soda machine broken with bolt cutters
Police were called to the CTA station at 711 Desplaines Ave. on June 25 at 12:10 a.m. when a man was using bolt cutters to try to open the payment slot of the soda vending machine in the mezzanine area.
The subject told police he was trying to get back his $5. According to the police report, he had rendered the machine inoperable. He was charged with criminal damage to property and is scheduled to appear at the Maybrook Court House in July.
Mirrors ripped off car
A woman leaving her house on the 100 block of Rockford Avenue on June 25 discovered both of her car’s side mirrors had been ripped off and were lying on the ground. While waiting for police to arrive, she checked her Ring camera video and saw an unknown subject in a knit cap and dark shirt walk past, and shortly after her car alarm can be heard.
Indecent exposure at train station
Police responded to 711 Desplaines Ave. for an incident of indecent exposure on June 25 at 8:10 a.m. at the train station. A CTA security officer was approached from behind by a male subject who allegedly said, “You better leave before I pull my d*** out.” She turned around to see he had already done so and was waving it at two other security guards. The guards told him to put his penis away, someone allegedly said, “Well, that’s disappointing,” and the subject quoted some inappropriate song lyrics before fleeing up the escalator. The incident was caught on CTA security cameras.
Man steals from squad car parked behind police station
A man stole a Forest Park Police Department citation envelope book from a squad car parked behind the police station on June 27 at 4:59 p.m. He’d been in the alley with a broom and dustpan, which he leaned against a police vehicle. He then looked inside the window of another squad car, then opened the driver’s door of the car and began rummaging around. He then “casually” walked away down Desplaines Avenue where he was apprehended by police. After his arrest, he told police he was looking for bond money.
These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, June 18-26, 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 Maria Maxham
