Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)—Entering the final month of 2024, police investigated several domestic incidents. One of them involved an alleged offender who was “highly intoxicated,” according to one person at the scene. This alleged offender reportedly told the victim in this case, “I’ll kill you.” He allegedly did so while holding a gun to the victim’s head, according to one report.
Park Forest Police Blotter Reports Beginning November 29, 2024
Obstructing
Police arrested Dartavias K. Hackman, 18, from an unknown address and processed him on one count of obstruction. Mr. Hackman’s preliminary court date was January 2, 2025, at the Markham Courthouse.
Police responded to a business on the first block of Main Street at 8:42 AM to investigate a report about an unwanted subject. The complainant told police that he recognized the teen and alleged that he steals from the store. When police questioned Mr. Hackman, he allegedly gave them a false name, according to police.
Felony Armed Habitual Criminal: “I’ll Kill You.”
Police arrested Romel Brock, 49, of the 300 block of Gentry St., Park Forest, on November 29 and charged him with felony armed habitual criminal, domestic battery, and aggravated assault.
Officers responded to a home on Gentry Street at 8:46 AM to investigate a domestic incident. The complainant told police that she and Mr. Brock had been arguing since approximately 2 AM. During the argument, Mr. Brock allegedly hit her in the face with an open hand multiple times, police said. She also alleged that when she followed Mr. Brock up the stairs, he kicked backward and kicked her, causing her to fall down the stairs, according to police.
“I’ll kill you,” alleged offender says.
The complainant further alleged that, at some point, while she and Mr. Brock were arguing, he allegedly pulled out a gun, put it to her head, and said, “I’ll kill you,” according to police. She also alleged that Mr. Brock hit her in the head with the gun but not hard enough, according to police.
The complainant described the firearm as a black handgun with an extended magazine. She told police that Mr. Brock had been drinking and was highly intoxicated, police said. Additionally, she told police she wanted to sign criminal complaints charging domestic battery and aggravated assault.
Police arrested Mr. Brock on suspicion of domestic battery and aggravated assault, transporting him to the Park Forest Police Department. The complainant gave an officer permission to search the residence for the firearm. Police found a black Taurus PT111 Millennium G2 9 mm handgun loaded with 16 rounds under the couch cushion, according to police.
Fleeing and Eluding
Police arrested Shawnee L. Brown, 39, of the 6000 block of S. Laflin St., Chicago, on November 30 and issued her tickets charging improper lane usage, driving while license was suspended, obstructing identification, and fleeing and eluding a peace officer. Police also processed her on a failure to comply warrant out of Indiana.
An officer patrolling at 10:58 AM was heading southbound on Western Avenue towards Sauk Trail. He saw a Flock Safety License Plate reader notification for a black SUV that was captured heading westbound on Sauk Trail from Rosiclaire Ct. in South Chicago Heights. He saw the notice classified the Ford as a “Make Your Own Case” designation. The vehicle allegedly fled from the Lansing Police Department a short time before. “Make your own case” is an alert that police seek the car, but an officer still needs to determine probable cause rather than pulling the vehicle over just because of the report.
While near Western Avenue and McCarthy Road, the officer saw a black SUV in the left-hand lane traveling westbound on Sauk Trail from Western Avenue. The officer turned off Western Avenue onto Sauk Trail to also travel westbound, attempting to catch up to the vehicle. When the officer caught up to the black SUV, he confirmed it was a Ford.
Officer Paces SUV
According to police, the officer paced the Ford via the in-squad radar as it traveled 50 miles per hour in a posted 35 mph zone. The officer was in the right-hand lane while the Ford was in the left-hand lane. According to police, the Ford failed to maintain proper lane usage near Sauk Trail and Meota Street.
The officer activated his emergency lights and attempted to curb the SUV near Sauk Trail and Minocqua Street. The Ford signaled, changed to the right lane in front of the officer, and slowed down. However, the police said it did not stop.
The officer advised SouthCom Dispatch that the vehicle was not stopping. The SUV continued westbound on Sauk Trail and turned onto Central Park Avenue northbound. It continued at a lower speed, when it turned and traveled east on Wilshire Street, according to police. The officer then activated the overhead sirens as the Ford turned onto Washington Street and continued northbound. It then turned into Washington Court from Washington Street and came to a stop, according to police.
One Person in the Car
The officer saw that the only occupant was a woman, later identified as Shawnee L. Brown.
When the officer asked her name, Ms. Brown began to explain that she was rushing to a family member’s house on Washington Street due to her mother-in-law having a heart attack, police said. She allegedly refused to cooperate with the officer and became argumentative. The officer asked her name. She reportedly told him, “They call me Shaneil,” according to police. When the officer asked Ms. Brown for her government name, Ms. Brown allegedly spelled a name and provided a date of birth. However, the name she gave police did not match the registration on the Ford, “Shanee L. Brown,” police said.
Felony Unlawful Use of a Weapon
Police arrested Jim Collins, 71, of the 200 block of Lester Rd., Park Forest, on December 1 and charged him with one felony count of unlawful use of a weapon, and domestic battery.
Police responded to a home on Lester Road to investigate a domestic incident. While en route, SouthCom Dispatch related that there was a man inside the house with two guns. It was 9:29 AM.
When police arrived, they met with the complainant who said Jim Collins was inside the house. Police made entry to the house and found Mr. Collins sitting on the couch in the living room. He told police he and the complainant were having a verbal dispute about him having a possible affair. He said that the complainant saw a woman’s name on a text message and became very upset, police said. He alleged that the complainant walked up to him. He allegedly said he grabbed her and they began to “tussle” in the living room area. He told police he released her shortly after.
He believed she was going to get her handgun so he let her go, according to police. Mr. Collins said the complainant said she would call the police, so he sat on the couch and permitted her to do so.
The Complainant’s Story: Alleged Offender Kicks Her Head
The complainant police said that she and Mr. Collins were having a conversation about him having an affair. She alleged that Mr. Collins got upset with her and grabbed her dreadlocks, pulling her down to the floor, according to police. He then allegedly began to kick her head and punch her several times, police said. She alleged that Mr. Collins struck her upper chest area, according to police.
An officer saw several reddish scratches on her chest, according to police.
She also alleged that Mr. Collins grabbed her by her right arm and dragged her across the floor, according to police.
Two Handguns
At one point, she admitted that she was going to get her handgun. However, according to police, she saw Mr. Collins also looking for her handgun. He allegedly searched her purse but was not able to find the handgun. Shortly after, the complainant went to her purse and was able to locate the handgun. She put the handgun inside her pocket.
The complainant alleged that Mr. Collins saw her and took the handgun out of her pocket to hide it. She told police she wanted to sign criminal complaints charging domestic battery, according to police.
Police found two handguns at the home. They determined that the complainant had a valid Firearm Owners Identification Card and Illinois Concealed Carry License. According to police, one of the weapons belonged to the complainant, and the other to Mr. Collins. Police learned that Mr. Collins did not have a valid FOID or CCL.
Domestic Battery
Police arrested Jeena L. Hardy, 26, of the 100 block of Westwood Dr., Park Forest, on December 4 and charged her with domestic battery. Police responded to a home on Westwood Drive at 10:36 AM to investigate a domestic incident. Ms. Hardy allegedly bit the right arm of the complainant, scratched his face, and threw a juice at him, according to police.
About Police Reports
Please note that we repeatedly say “according to police” in these reports and often use “allegedly.” We are not asserting in any way that those police arrested and charged committed any offenses. We report on what is in the reports that the police furnish to us. As those accused are innocent until proven guilty, the burden is on prosecutors and police to prove all alleged crimes.
eNews Park Forest has continuously published the 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 charged, including their name, age, and address. This information is necessary to ensure the proper identity of those arrested.
Presumption of Innocence
An arrest does not mean that a person is guilty. The law presumes all those whom police arrest are innocent until proven guilty. It is the policy of eNews Park Forest not to remove items from the public record from publication. Suppose you find your name in the police reports. Our policy is that 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.
We do not strike, “unpublish,” or delete news.
According to police, officers captured all the incidents in this report on body-worn and dash-mounted cameras at the respective scenes. All Park Forest police officers wear body-worn cameras. Officials typically abbreviate these devices as BWC in the reports.
We encourage persons wishing to leave anonymous information on any criminal matters, including narcotics or gang activity, to call the Park Forest Police Department Investigations Division at (708) 748-1309.
