Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- These police reports include arrests through October 13, 2020. Charges for those arrested include trespassing, aggravated battery, and aggravated assault.
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 13, 2020
Aggravated Assault
James M. Hampton, 44, 3705 Briar Ln., Hazel Crest, was arrested on October 7 and charged with disorderly conduct and aggravated assault after police were dispatched to a business in the first block of Norwood Boulevard to investigate a report of a customer dispute. A customer identified as James Hampton became upset when he was told that his vehicle could not be converted to a true dual exhaust beyond work that was done for $500 and an additional cost. Mr. Hampton was told that the shop would install a set of chrome exhaust tips on the vehicle at no extra charge for the misunderstanding, according to the report.
Mr. Hampton allegedly became upset and entered the service bay area and began to argue with an employee, according to police. At one point, Mr. Hampton allegedly shoved the employee, at which point the employee shoved Mr. Hampton out of the service bay area, according to the report.
After Mr. Hampton was removed from the service area, he allegedly raise the right side of his shirt, exposing a holstered firearm, according to police. While shouting and yelling, Mr. Hampton allegedly unbuttoned the holster strap “in a manner consistent with someone who would pull out a firearm from a secured holster,” according to the report. Mr. Hampton allegedly pulled the firearm up from the holster but did not remove it fully from the holster, according to police.
An employee told police he felt threatened when he saw the gun.
At this point, employees yelled they were calling the police. Mr. Hampton left the area on foot. His vehicle was seized per local ordinance, according to police.
Trespassing
Curtis L. Whittington, 49, 1934 Division St., Chicago Heights, was arrested on October 8 and charged with criminal trespass to land after police were dispatched to the 300 block of Juniper Street in reference to a premise check. SouthCom Dispatch advised responding officers that Curtis Whittington, who had been previously banned from the property, was on-site at the location to which police had been dispatched.
Aggravated Domestic Battery
Jamonte Bennett, 21, 338 Duane St., Glen Ellyn, was arrested on October 10 and charged with aggravated domestic battery, motor vehicle theft, unlawful restraint, and aggravated battery after police were dispatched to the 400 block of Winnebago Street to investigate a report of battery.
According to the complainant, she and Mr. Bennett were in a car when she and Mr. Bennett began arguing about her wanting to return to Winnebago Street. The complainant was in the front passenger seat and Mr. Bennett was in the backseat. The two of them lease an apartment where they moved in August 2020, according to police.
Mr. Bennett allegedly grabbed the complainant around the neck with his hands and pulled her to the back seat of the vehicle where he was sitting. He allegedly continued attacking her by scratching her neck, chest, and stomach area, according to police.
At one point, the complainant said she believed she blacked out because Mr. Bennett was allegedly choking her and she couldn’t breathe, according to police.
Upon arrival at the home in Park Forest, the complainant tried to get out of the car but Mr. Bennett allegedly kept pulling her back into it, according to police. The complainant eventually was able to break away from Mr. Bennett and run towards the front door of the residence, according to police. She called the police.
Mr. Bennett then allegedly drove away from the residence in the complainant’s vehicle without the complainant’s permission.