Park Forest, IL—(ENEWSPF)— Editor’s Note: We continue our reporting on news from police reports. Besides covering the many stories from around Park Forest that otherwise might go unnoticed, we want to bring more complete coverage of police reports than is reported by other local media.
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.
Felony Driving While License Was Suspended
George R. Lopez, 33, 26550 Egyptian Trail, Monee, IL, was arrested on January 3 and issued state traffic citations charging improper use of an electronic communications device, one felony count of driving while license was suspended, one felony count of driving while license was revoked, and operating a motor vehicle without insurance. Officers were on patrol traveling east on Sauk Trail in the passing lane approaching Western Avenue when one officer observed the driver of a vehicle speaking into what appeared to be a cell phone. As the vehicle was traveling west on Sauk Trail, the officer performed a U-turn at the intersection of Sauk Trail and Western Avenue, curbing the vehicle soon after.
When asked if he knew why he was pulled over, the driver stated that he believed he was pulled over because he was talking on his cell phone while driving, according to police. When asked for his driver’s license, Lopez related that he did not have a driver’s license on his person and that he had a revoked driver’s license due to prior DUI arrests, according to police. P
olice learned that Lopez’s license was currently both suspended and revoked. His vehicle was towed from the scene.
Animal Cruelty
Aqua Richard, 32, 222 Tampa St., Park Forest, was and issued a municipal citation on January 5 charging animal cruelty when police responded to the 200 block of Tampa Street to investigate an animal complaint.
When police arrived, they asked Ms. Richard if she had a dog. She responded that she has a dog in her backyard. The officer observed the dog chained in the backyard of the residence.
The dog had a small dog house without adequate food or water, according to police.
When asked how long the dog been outside, Ms. Richard told the officer that the dog had been outside since 2 PM. The officer was dispatched at 5:04 PM. The outside temperature at the time was eight degrees Fahrenheit, however the Real Feel was -4 degrees, according to police.
The officer warned Ms. Richard that if any similar incidents occurred, she would be arrested and charged with animal cruelty, according to police.
Domestic Battery
Marcus R. Cruz, 26, 108 Elm St., Park Forest, was arrested on January 6 and charged with domestic battery when police were dispatched to the 200 block of Mohawk Street to meet a complainant regarding threats. According to the complainant, Cruz allegedly made the threats to kill her and allegedly said that he would shoot at police if they came to his residence, according to police. After he was taken into custody, Mr. Cruz denied that he had said these things, according to police.
Felony Aggravated Driving Under The Influence
James E. Holliday, 35, 1950 Beacon Blvd., Chicago Heights, was arrested on January 7 and charged with one felony count of aggravated driving under the influence, one felony count of aggravated driving while license was revoked, and one felony count of aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer. Additionally, Holliday was charged with failure to signal when required, improper turn, misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol, aggravated speeding, two counts of driving on the shoulder of the road, driving without insurance, and illegal transportation of alcohol.
An officer observed a vehicle traveling south on Western Avenue toward North Street in the passing lane at approximately 2:33 AM on January 7. According to police, the vehicle maneuvered into the left lane without activating a turn signal. The vehicle paused briefly, then activated its right turn signal and conducted a right turn from the left turn lane, crossing two lanes of traffic as it completed the turn, according to police.
The officer began to follow the vehicle, activating his squad car’s emergency lights and initiating a traffic stop on North Street near Ludeman Drive. The vehicle slowed down, then accelerated at a high rate of speed, fleeing west on North Street, according to police.
The officer advised dispatch that the vehicle was fleeing and began to pursue, traveling approximately 60 miles per hour in a posted 30 miles per hour zone. During the pursuit, the officer’s squad car reached a top speed of 72 miles per hour for approximately seven seconds. During this time, the distance between the officers vehicle and the vehicle he was following consistently increased, according to police.
When the roadway curve to the left, the vehicle continued straight, leaving the roadway and traveling through Holden Park, according to police. The vehicle then re-entered the roadway on Homan Avenue, traveling west across two lanes of traffic and ultimately striking a guard rail along the east side of the Metra parking lot in the 21400 block of Main Street in Matteson.
As the officer approached the vehicle, the driver, later identified as James E. Holliday, emerged front the front driver’s seat of the vehicle and began to run north on Homan Avenue. The officer followed Holliday in his squad car and ordered him to show him his hands and stop. Holliday disobeyed, according to police, and continued running north on Homan Avenue. While running, Holliday’s left hand was concealed near his waistband, according to police.
At one point, Holliday stumbled over his own feet and fell into the snow, according to police. The officer exited his squad car, unholstered his Glock 22, and began to pursue Holliday on foot. Holliday ran approximately 20 feet before stopping and raising his arms, according to police.
Battery
Mario M. Geiger Jr., 20, 64 Indianwood Blvd., Park Forest, was arrested on January 7 and charged with battery when police were dispatched to the 300 block of North Orchard Drive to investigate a report of domestic battery. Tashanna M. Mendrez, 19, 311 North Orchard Dr., Park Forest, was also arrested on January 7 and charged with domestic battery and resisting arrest.
Felony Armed Violence
Dameion E. L. Booker, 37, 1650 Marywood Ave., #102, Aurora, IL, was arrested on January 7 and charged with one felony count of armed violence. Booker was also charged with one count of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, possession of a controlled substance, and obstructing identification. Booker was also issued traffic citations charging illegal parking on the roadway and illegal carry of liquor by a driver, according to police. Finally, Booker was issued a municipal citation charging possession of cannabis.
An officer was patrolling in a vehicle traveling southbound on Nassau Street at approximately 9:15 PM when the officer observed a vehicle parked facing northbound in the 300 block of Nassau Street. The officer observed a “No Parking This Side” sign posted in front of a nearby house. The officer then observed a male subject sitting in the driver’s seat with his head leaning back against the headrest, his mouth wide open, and his eyes completely shut.
The officer approached the vehicle, tapped on the driver’s side window to wake and check the well-being of the driver, later identified as Booker. Mr. Booker awoke and open the driver’s side door. The officer immediately smelled a strong odor of fresh burnt cannabis and an alcoholic beverage from Mr. Booker’s breath. The officer also observed that Booker had bloodshot, glassy eyes. When asked his name, Booker provided a false name, according to police.
Mr. Booker was arrested and taken into custody without incident, according to police.
An officer conducted an inventory of Booker’s vehicle and located a loaded, black semi automatic Hi-Point Model CF380 ACP .380 with an additional magazine containing six live rounds. The magazine inside the magazine well of the firearm contained five live rounds of .380 caliber ammunition.
