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.
Thanks to Barbara Gallagher for assistance proofing and editing these reports.
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.
An officer was dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Washington Street on March 7 to investigate a report of a resident receiving a counterfeit $50 bill. The officer spoke with a resident who turned the counterfeit bill over to police, who in turn contacted the United States Secret Service. Officials are investigating.
An Echo orange and black leaf blower valued at $400, an A-Coil for an air-conditioning unit, and an aluminum furnace were reported stolen from a shed attached to a driveway of a residence in the 300 block of Oakwood Street on March 8.
Police were dispatched to a business in the 2200 block of Western Avenue on March 8 after a customer involved in a dispute with employees related that he was going to “blow up” the business. Police identified the customer, a resident of Matteson, and police from Matteson responded to the customer’s last known address. The man acknowledged that there was a disagreement but denied making any threat regarding blowing up the business. The man was advised that he was banned from the business.
An officer responded to the area of Thomas and Sandburg Streets on March 9 regarding graffiti on a fence. The officer observed the graffiti, painted in silver metallic spray paint. The damage was photographed and Park Forest Public Works was notified to remove the graffiti.
All four tires of a vehicle parked in the first block of Ash Street were reported slashed on March 9.
A gray 2014 Chrysler 300, Illinois license plate E303248, was reported stolen from the 100 block of Lester Street on March 10.
A small rock was reported thrown through a window of a residence in the 100 block of Hemlock Street on March 10.
A sidewalk in the 22000 block of Central Park Avenue was reported vandalized with black spray paint on March 10.
Christopher J. Pascarella, 39, 349 Oakwood St., Park Forest, was arrested on March 10 and charged with aggravated assault when police responded to the 300 block of Oakwood Street to investigate a neighbor dispute.
Justin G. Bickhem, 20, 105 Indiana St., Park Forest, was arrested on March 10 and charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by a felon, possession of cannabis, and processed on an Illinois Department Of Corrections parole violation warrant when an officer, patrolling the Metra Commuter Parking Lot in the 500 block of Homan Street, observed several vehicles parked near the north end of the lot and another vehicle parked at the Southwest and of the lot. The officer approached the vehicle parked at the Southwest and of the lot. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle, later identified as Bickhem, opened the door and lit a cigarette. The officer detected the strong odor of burnt cannabis emanating from the vehicle, according to police. The officer discovered that Bickhem was on parole until the end of 2016 because of an armed robbery. According to police, Bickhem appeared nervous and, when asked if there was anything illegal inside the vehicle, allegedly stated, “You’ll find it, it’s under the seat.” An officer recovered a loaded .40 caliber Hi-Point handgun with an extended magazine containing 13 live .40 rounds from under the driver’s seat.
A resident told police at the Park Forest Police Department on March 11 that she had attempted to use her debit card for a gas purchase but the purchase was declined. She notified her bank and was advised that her account had been frozen due to fraudulent activity. She discovered that transactions had been made against her account in Georgia.
Christopher J. Floyd, 30, 586 W. 16th St., Chicago Heights, was arrested on March 13 and charged with aggravated driving under the influence, driving under the influence of drugs, illegal transportation of alcohol, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, no valid driver’s license, and issued a municipal citation charging possession of cannabis. An officer on patrol in the area of Norwood and Westwood Streets observed the vehicle Floyd was driving disabled in the intersection of Norwood and Westwood Streets with its hazard lights on. Floyd advised police that he ran out of gas. The officer immediately detected an odor of cannabis and alcohol emanating from Floyd, according to police. The officer then saw in plain view a can of Bud Light alcohol in Floyd’s cup holder.
Four alloy wheels and tires valued at approximately $400 and a plastic Rotella oil can partially filled with semitruck motor oil were reported stolen from a shed in the first block of North Street on March 17.
Denzel L. McGee, 20, 433 Talala St., Park Forest, was arrested on March 17 and charged with one count of criminal trespass to state-supported property and aggravated assault when police responded to the Park Forest Public Library to investigate a report of an unwanted subject. According to police, McGee entered the library through the front doors and had his hood covering up his head. An employee, who knows McGee, advised him to remove his hood per library policy. According to police, McGee removed his hood, took several steps, stopped, turned, and allegedly raised his hood over his head and continued to walk further into the library. Two employees and began to follow McGee and continued to ask him to remove his hood. According to police, McGee continue to ignore the request and began to run in between bookshelves and aisles on the north side of the library in an attempt to get away from the employees. McGee then allegedly began to shout obscenities at the employees, at which point the employees called police. According to police, McGee exited the library but allegedly refused to leave the property. It was at that time that police arrived.
All four tires of a vehicle parked in the 400 block of Westgate Drive were reported slashed on March 19. Police have suspect information and are investigating.
The driver’s side door of a vehicle parked in the first block of Park Street was reported scratched and damaged with pry marks on March 19.
The key lock mechanism on the front driver’s side door of a vehicle parked in the 400 block of Titonka Street was reported missing on March 20.
