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.
Special thanks to Barbara Gallagher for her invaluable assistance proofreading 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.
Crystal L. Jones, 35, and Chantel S. Jones, 33, both residing at 234 Allegheny St., Park Forest, were arrested on April 25 and processed on battery warrants when police responded to the 200 block of Allegheny Street to locate two subjects who were wanted by the Park Forest Police Department on charges of battery.
A window of a residence in the first block of Oak Lane was reported shattered on May 1.
Mark M. Stanfield, 33, 3672 Edward Dr., Crete, was arrested on May 2 and issued a municipal ticket charging possession of cannabis and issued a traffic citation charging disregarding a traffic control device when an officer traveling northbound on Western Avenue near 26th Street observed the vehicle Stanfield was driving allegedly disregard the traffic signal at 26th Street and Western Avenue while traveling westbound, according to police.
A cell phone was reported stolen from a book bag left on the side of the field during a soccer game at Rich East High School on May 3.
A windshield of a vehicle parked in the 100 block of Hemlock Street was reported damaged on May 3. Police observed a small hole in the driver’s side windshield area.
Calvin Mbitcha, 48, 141 Indiana St., Park Forest, was arrested on May 4 and charged with illegal dumping of refuse when Park Forest Public Works employees observed tree branches dumped behind the fence of that residence. After contacting Mbitcha, he allegedly told police that he cut down two trees a few days prior, placed them out for garbage collection, and observed that the trees were still in front of the house after the garbage had been collected. He then said that he remembered there was a large amount of tree debris behind the fence in his backyard and decided to dispose of the tree refuse in that location, according to police.
Alexis L. Harris, 21, and Tasha L. Roach, 35, both of 4310 Greenbrier Lane, Richton Park, were arrested on May 4 and charged with one count of retail theft each when police were dispatched to Country Squire Foods, 120 South Orchard Drive, in response to a complaint of retail theft.
Police responded to the Park Forest Police Department on May 4 in reference to a report of a domestic dispute. A resident told police that her former boyfriend allegedly grabbed her by the neck and choked her during an argument. Police have suspect information and are investigating.
Police responded to the 300 block of Illinois Street to investigate a report of credit card fraud on May 4. Police have suspect information and are investigating.
An officer was dispatched to the first block of Oak Lane on May 5 to investigate a report of criminal damage to property. The owner of a vehicle reported a hardened gray liquid on the passenger side front quarter panel of her vehicle. Police observed that the front quarter panel had a thin line of a gray liquid that appeared to be some sort of epoxy or caulk material.
Antione P. Chennault-Ware, 26, 7 Arrowhead Court, Park Forest, was arrested on May 5 and issued a municipal citation charging possession of cannabis and processed on an active Will County traffic warrant when an officer patrolling westbound on Allegheny Street observed Chennault-Ware in a vehicle stopped in the 200 block of Allegheny Street. The officer knew Chennault-Ware had an active Will County traffic warrant, according to police.
Michael J.V. McMurray, 39, 22583 Brian Court, Richton Park, was arrested on May 4 and issued two municipal citations charging public intoxication and public elimination of bodily waste when police were dispatched to the Marathon Gas Station, 385 Sauk Trail, to investigate a report of retail theft. When officers arrived, they made contact with McMurray who was discovered urinating on the west side of a building in the 400 block of Sauk Trail. McMurray told the officers that he was homeless. An officer conducted a protective pat down search with negative results. McMurray advised officers that he had been walking around looking for something to eat. During this time, McMurray was allegedly slurring his words and had glassy eyes, according to police. McMurray further allegedly advised officers that he had been drinking earlier in the day. Police had previously dealt with McMurray on May 1. Officers in that incident had contacted friends and family in Park Forest, and Richton Park, who allowed McMurray to stay with them for the evening. However, they indicated that they no longer wanted to be contacted in the future regarding assisting McMurray. McMurray was taken into custody on charges of public intoxication and urinating in public. He was placed into a cell waiting for the effects of the intoxication to subside, according to police.
Tanisha M. Heavens, 30, 30 Olympic Village, Apt. 2D, Chicago Heights, was arrested on May 7 when an officer on patrol was stopped eastbound on Sauk Trail at Western Avenue and observed that the driver of a vehicle traveling south on Western Avenue past Sauk Trail was holding a white electronic cell phone to her right ear while driving, according to police. The officer initiated a traffic stop on Western Avenue, south of Steger Road. The driver, Tanisha M. Heavens, was issued Will County traffic citations charging use of an electronic device without hands-free, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving while license was suspended, and issued a municipal citation charging possession of cannabis.
Raymond A. Darden, 26, 715 Red Oak Ln., University Park, was arrested on May 8 and issued a municipal citation charging possession of cannabis and another citation charging speeding above the posted limit when an officer on patrol northbound on Western Avenue north of Algonquin Street observed the vehicle Darden was driving allegedly pass the officer in the left northbound lane of Western Avenue at a high rate of speed that appeared to be above the 35 mph posted speed limit. The officer was able to accelerate, pulled directly behind that the vehicle, and paced the vehicle at 55 mph in the posted 35 mph zone, according to police.
Police were dispatched to the 300 block of Minocqua Street on May 8 to conduct a premise exam. Police were advised that two male subjects entered the residence through a back door while a teenager was home alone. The teenager allegedly confronted the two subjects with a knife. The subjects then grabbed something off a desk and left the residence. The owner of the residence arrived and stated that a bag containing a deposit of $1576 was missing from the table. Police are investigating.
A number of tools including a welder, valued at $2000, a circular saw, valued at $75, a Craftsman chainsaw, another chainsaw, and other items were reported stolen from a storage garage in the 100 block of East Sycamore Drive on May 8. The entrance to the garage had extensive damage.
Michael Stewart, 28, 140 Marquette St., Park Forest, was arrested on May 8 and charged with battery and resisting a peace officer when police were dispatched to the 100 block of Marquette Street in reference to a report of a domestic disturbance.
Tamela Jennings, 39, 106 Sauk Trail, Park Forest, was arrested on May 8 and issued a municipal citation charging littering when police met at Central Park, 420 Lakewood Boulevard, and observed that the west side of the parking lot was littered with trash, including broken glass, broken Corona beer bottles, empty cups, food (blue/green cupcakes smashed into the ground, nachos and cheese), paper trash, and more, according to police. Similar trash was also located under the west Pavilion, according to police. Police were informed by the Director of Recreation and Parks that a permit was obtained for the Central Park West Pavilion by Tamela Jennings for May 7. Police went to Jennings’ residence on Sauk Trail and attempted to make contact with her. She was not at home, but came to the Park Forest Police Department later that evening. An officer spoke to her about the condition of the Park on May 8. She stated that she did her best to clean the Pavilion before leaving that evening, but her guests might have left trash in the parking lot or in the park, according to police.
An officer found a stray female brindle pitbull, possibly named “Beauty” or “Cutie,” running around in the 100 block of Peach Street on May 11. The officer tranquilized the dog as it ran south on Peach Street and turned right onto Sauk Trail. The officer then lost track of the dog. The officer was advised that the previous owners possibly left, abandoning the dog, after moving away over the weekend. A little over two hours later, officers responded to the area of Peach Street and Sauk Trail due to reports of the same dog in the area. The dog was viciously barking and nervous and scared, according to police. Police tranquilized the dog as it ran east toward Sauk Court. An officer found the dog sleeping behind a vacant house in the first block of Sauk Court. The dog was transported to Forest South Animal Hospital with no release date due to being abandoned, according to police.
Marco J. Walker, 19, 227 Allegheny St., Park Forest, was arrested on May 11 and charged with a misdemeanor count of retail theft, resisting a peace officer, and also issued a municipal citation charging possession of cannabis when an officer patrolling in the area of Western Avenue and 26th Street observed someone riding a bike, later identified as Walker, who matched the description of a suspicious person call received approximately 15 minutes prior, according to police.
A wooden jewelry box containing diamond necklaces, gold and sterling bracelets and earrings, a silver jewelry box with all silver jewelry inside, numerous other pieces of jewelry, and a black Movato watch valued at approximately $300 are among items reported stolen during a residential burglary in the 300 block of Herndon Street on May 11. Entry was gained to the residence by breaking out a basement window, according to police.
A 72-inch flat-screen Samsung television and an Xbox 1 are among items reported stolen during a residential burglary in the 200 block of Kentucky Street on May 12.
Books positively identified as belonging to the Park Forest Library were reported stolen from the library on May 12. A gray and black backpack was recovered and entered into evidence.
Dellian L. Roberts, 28, 23443 Western Ave., Apt. F67, Park Forest, was arrested and issued Will County citations charging illegal transportation of alcohol, operation of an uninsured motor vehicle, and processed on a charge of felony aggravated driving while license was revoked when police were dispatched to the 23400 block of South Western Avenue in reference to a report of a domestic dispute.
A red and black Sears push lawnmower valued at approximately $100 was reported stolen from outside a residence in the 200 block of Lester Road on May 14. The owner had left the lawnmower out on the grass when it started to rain.
Dangelo A. Gillespie, 19, 468 Talala St., Park Forest, was arrested on May 16 and charged with battery when police were dispatched to the first block of Fir Street in reference to a report of a fight.
