Law and Order, Local Police Reports, Park Forest

Sleeping at the Wheel Leads to DUI Charge: Police Blotter Reports Through Oct. 27, 2020


Christopher Smith was charged with a DUI.
Christopher Smith was charged with a DUI on October 23, 2020. (Photo: PFPD)

Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- A man was charged with a DUI after police found him asleep behind the wheel of a car at an intersection in the Lincolnwood area of town. These police reports include arrests through October 27, 2020. Charges for those arrested include driving with an expired license, DUI, domestic battery, and trespassing.

Please note that we repeatedly say “according to police” in these reports and often use the word “allegedly.” We are not asserting in any way that those arrested and/or charged have committed any offenses. We report on what is in the media reports furnished by police. As those charged are innocent until proven guilty, the burden is on prosecutors and police to prove all alleged crimes.

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eNews Park Forest has always published addresses of those arrested and will continue to do so. 5 ILCS 140/2.15 states that the governmental body (for these reports, the Police Department), shall release information on those who have been charged, including their name, age, and address. This information is necessary to ensure the proper identity of those arrested.

An arrest does not mean that a person is guilty. All those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty. It is the policy of eNews Park Forest to not remove items in the public record from publication. If your name is listed in the police reports, we will only add information relevant to the final disposition of the case at hand, e.g. “Mr. Smith was subsequently acquitted,” “Mr. Smith entered a guilty plea,” or “All charges against Mr. Smith were subsequently dropped.” We will do so upon receiving and verifying proof of such disposition.

Persons wishing to leave anonymous information on any criminal matters including narcotics or gang activity are encouraged to call the Park Forest Police Department Investigations Division at (708) 748-1309.

eNews Park Forest reports this information because the public in the United States has the right to know.  When that information is withheld or under-reported, it leaves questions.  We also want to show the work that the police force does every day that is not reported.  Police in Park Forest respond to thousands of calls per year, the vast majority of which do not end up with arrests.  Whether it’s conducting a routine investigation, pulling over a drunk driver, or responding to a possible theft at a store, the work of the police officer deserves acknowledgment by the public.

Park Forest Police Blotter Reports Through October 27, 2020

Domestic Battery

Derek E Frazer, 29, 133 N. Arbor Trail, Park Forest, October 21 and charged with domestic battery after police responded to unlock of North Arbor Trail in reference to a 911 hang-up call. While they were on their way, SouthCom dispatch advised police that a woman had dialed three times and asked for police before disconnecting. Police were told that Mr. Frazer’s allegedly pushed a woman to the ground, according to police.

Trespassing

Police were dipatched to the 100 block of Hay Street on October 21 at 4:14 PM to investigate a report of juveniles trespassing at a vacant home, possibly setting a fire in the garage. Two juveniles were issued municipal citations charging trespassing.

DUI

Christopher N. Smith, 45, 308 Jackson St., Park Forest, was arrested on October 23 and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving while under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol concentration greater than 0.08, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, driving with a driver’s license expired more than one year, and illegal possession of alcohol in a motor vehicle.

Police were dispatched to the intersection of Indiana Street and Illinois Street just after 7:00 AM to investigate a report of a driver slumped at the wheel of a car. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Christopher N. Smith.

Mr. Smith allegedly told police that he had one alcoholic cocktail at his aunt’s residence in the last few hours. An officer asked if he remembered falling asleep in the car. Mr. Smith replied that he was tired and did not recall falling asleep, according to police.

Police administered Field Sobriety Tests. After he was taken into custody, Mr. Smith consented to a breathalyzer test that indicated Mr. Smith to have a breath alcohol content of 0.096, according to police.


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