Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Editor’s Note: This coverage represents reports from August 19 through August 22, 2018. Charges include domestic battery, theft, and possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver.
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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 entail 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.
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.
Domestic Battery
Earnest Walls III, 232 Thomas St., Park Forest, was arrested on August 19 and charged with one count of domestic battery after police were dispatched to the 200 block of Thomas Street in reference to a report of a domestic dispute.
When police arrived, an officer made contact with Mr. Walls III, who walked toward the officer and allegedly said, “Just arrest me.” The officer noted a strong odor of alcohol emanating from Mr. Walls III’s breath, according to the report.
Police spoke with the complainant who said that Mr. Walls III was disrespectful to his mother inside the residence. The complainant approached Mr. Walls III and told him to stop being disrespectful. Mr. Walls III allegedly became aggressive with the complainant and the complainant pushed Mr. Walls III out the front door of the house. There was a physical struggle where the two fell to the ground.
Mr. Walls III at one point allegedly stood up and kicked the complainant in the mouth.
Mr. Walls III was arrested and transported to the Park Forest Police Department at which point he requested medical assistance due to pain in his right hand. Park Forest paramedics responded, evaluated Mr. Walls III, and transported him to St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields. St. James Hospital advised police that Mr. Walls III sustained a metacarpal fracture to his right hand when he allegedly punched a wall, according to police.
Possession of Cannabis with the Intent to Deliver
Jordan D. Bailey, 26, 16919 Central Park Ave., Hazelcrest, was arrested on August 20 and charged with possession of cannabis over 100 grams, possession of cannabis with the intent to deliver, and unlawful parking on the roadway.
Police responded to the 200 block of Washington Street at 12:47 AM after a 911 hang-up.
As officers were attempting to locate the source of the 911 call, an officer observed a vehicle allegedly parked illegally in the middle of the street with two people standing outside of it, leaning into the vehicle, according to police. Police made contact with a man standing outside the vehicle who said that he did not make the 911 call. An officer then spoke with the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Jordan D Bailey. There was a passenger in the vehicle as well.
Officers could smell a strong odor of fresh cannabis coming from inside the vehicle.
The man who had been outside the vehicle was released from the scene.
After the discovery of the smell of cannabis, another officer located the original source of the 911 complaint. That was a woman who was experiencing chest pain. Park Forest fire Department responded to the scene and she was transported to the hospital.
Police then asked Mr. Bailey to exit the vehicle. During a search of Mr. Bailey, an officer located a small plastic baggie containing a green leafy substance that later field-tested positive for the presumptive presence of cannabis, according to police. A search of the passenger yielded negative results.
An officer then located a large plastic bag which contained five separately knotted plastic baggies, all containing a green leafy substance. After Bailey’s vehicle was towed and seized under local ordinance.
According to police, Mr. Bailey told them that he lives in Bloomington, Illinois and that he drove up to attend a family reunion. Prior to going, he contacted a friend who met him at the corner of Wilshire and Washington Streets. His friend sold him five bags of cannabis for $700, according to police. Mr. Bailey then went to the reunion and picked up the passenger. Police interviewed the passenger in the vehicle and released him without charges. Mr. Bailey was held at the Park Forest Police Department pending being transported to Markham Courthouse for a felony bond hearing, according to police.
Domestic Battery
Curtis L. Whittington, 47, 350 Juniper #1008, Park Forest, was arrested on August 22 and charged with domestic battery when police were dispatched to the fifth floor of 350 Juniper Street in reference to a report of a domestic disturbance. The caller told dispatch that a man, later identified as Curtis L. Whittington, was allegedly fighting with two women. While on their way to the call, officers were informed that a man had called and alleged that one of the women pulled a knife on him.
Officers arrived at the door and overheard yelling and cursing coming from inside the apartment. One officer knocked and was admitted to the apartment, immediately noticing that one woman had minor redness and scratch marks near the upper portion between her nose and eyes, according to the report. The woman appeared to be intoxicated, according to police, having a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her mouth. Her eyes were glassy and bloodshot, according to the report.
The officer asked who had done this to her, to which she replied, “He did, Curtis.” Mr. Whittington also appeared to be intoxicated, according to police. Mr. Whittington was transported to the Park Forest Police Department after the alleged victim said she would be willing to sign complaints against him charging domestic battery.
Operation of an Uninsured Motor Vehicle
Tristan D. Babers, 33, 49 S. Arbor Trail, Park Forest, was arrested on August 22 and issued citations charging operation of an uninsured motor vehicle, driving while license was suspended, speeding, and unauthorized use of registration.
An officer parked in the 23400 block of Western Avenue observed a yellow Ford Van traveling south on Western Avenue at a high rate of speed, according to police. The officer clocked the Fords speed on his dash-mounted radar at 55 miles per hour in the posted 40 miles per hour zone, according to police.
The officer left from his position and caught up with the vehicle at Western Avenue and Sycamore Drive. The officer observed that the vehicle displayed an Indiana temporary plate. The driver, Mr. Babers said that he was in a hurry to get home because his wife was encountering complications with pregnancy. He was unable to locate the proof of insurance for the vehicle but he did have a signed title.
The officer inspected the temporary license plate and discovered that it was issued to another vehicle. The officer further discovered that Mr. Babers’ driver’s license was suspended since June 3, 2018, on a failure to appear on a traffic citation. The vehicle was towed and seized. Mr. Babers was assigned a court date of September 12, 2018, at the Will County Courthouse.
Domestic Battery
Charles R. Robinson, 53, 115 Hay St., Park Forest, was arrested on August 22 and charged with one count of domestic battery when police were dispatched to the 100 block of Hay Street in reference to a report of a domestic dispute.
When police arrived, an officer made contact with Mr. Charles Robinson who was in the front yard of 115 Hay Street. He was sweating profusely and breathing heavily, according to police. According to Mr. Robinson, earlier in the day, Mr. Robinson picked up the mother of his children from her residence in another town. While they were driving through Park Forest the two began to argue, according to police. The argument became increasingly intense at which point Mr. Robinson exited the vehicle at a stoplight and began walking home, according to police.
The woman who was driving the car drove Mr. Robinson’s vehicle to 115 Hay Street and entered the home with the spare key she had in her possession.
When Mr. Robinson arrived home on foot, the two confronted each other at the rear door of the residence. Mr. Robinson said he no longer wished for her to have a spare key to his home. The two argued. Mr. Robinson took the keys out of her hand and place them in his pocket, according to police. The woman reached into Mr. Robinson’s pocket and attempted to take her keys back. Mr. Robinson attempted to prevent her from taking the keys by allegedly grabbing her hand, but she pulled the keys out and caused a small cut to Mr. Robinson’s right index finger, according to police.
Mr. Robinson then allegedly punched her in the mouth and went inside the residence.
The woman offered a different account, saying that Mr. Robinson demanded that she leave his house and told her he would not take her to the doctor. As she entered the rear door of the residence, she told police Mr. Robinson allegedly grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head into the door, causing pain to the right side of her head. As she pulled away, Mr. Robinson allegedly pulled some of her hair out, which fell onto the kitchen floor. She then called police. Police observed a clump of her hair on the kitchen floor.
One Count of Theft
Bryan M. Vigo, 30, 2650 W. Wilcox St. #1, Chicago, was arrested on August 22 and charged with one count of theft when an officer met with a girl and her mother at the Park Forest Police Department regarding a report of a stolen bicycle.
The girl said that she left her bike outside the rear door of her residence at about 7:30 PM along with her mother’s bike. She checked on her bicycle at approximately 9:30 PM and discovered that her bike was gone.
At 10:52 PM, officers responded to the 200 block of Forest Boulevard regarding a report of a suspicious subject riding a bicycle. Officers located the subject, later identified as Bryan Vigo, who was riding a bicycle on Forest Boulevard on the east side of the Park Forest Police Department.
Police stopped Mr. Vigo and the officer who took the original complaint noted the bicycle Mr. Vigo was riding, which matched the description and the picture of the bicycle reported stolen earlier. The officer asked Mr. Vigo if the bicycle was his. He said it was.
Police placed Mr. Vigo under arrest on suspicion of theft and placed him in handcuffs. Mr. Vigo told police that he had been sleeping outside in various locations for the past week. He stated that he panhandles for money. He said that he was at the Park Forest Library and a juvenile gave him the bicycle.
