Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Editor’s Note: This coverage represents reports from July 17 through July 24, 2018. Charges filed include violation of an order of protection, disorderly conduct (citation, no formal arrest), possession of cannabis, aggravated assault, and possession of a controlled substance, a class 3 felony.
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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.
No Valid Driver’s License
Brandon J. Smith, 19, 3115 Holden Circle, Matteson, was arrested on July 17 and issued citations charging driving without lights when required, no valid driver’s license, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle when an officer observed a vehicle traveling northbound on Western Avenue at 1:16 AM that had neither of its headlights illuminated, according to police.
The officer observed four people in the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Mr. Smith, who told the officer that he had no driver’s license and that one of the passengers in the vehicle was teaching him how to drive, according to police. The responding officer also learned that Mr. Smith was wanted by the Park Forest Police Department regarding another incident on suspicion of unlawful use of a weapon, according to police.
The officer detected a strong odor of fresh cannabis emanating from within the vehicle. One of the passengers, Ollie W. Wilson, 21, 3115 Holden Circle, Matteson, allegedly told the responding officer that the cannabis belong to him. Mr. Wilson was not arrested but was issued a municipal citation charging possession of cannabis. Mr. Smith’s vehicle was towed from the scene.
Improper Walking on the Roadway at 3:00 AM
Donzell V. Barber, 18, 7507 Jeffery Blvd. #4a, Chicago, was arrested on July 17 and charged with misdemeanor obstructing identification and improper walking on the roadway when an officer saw four individuals walking down the middle of Washington Street at 3:01 AM. Two of the individuals were juveniles.
The mother of a juvenile arrived on the scene. The juvenile was issued two municipal citations charging walking in the roadway and curfew and then turned over to his mother on the scene. A third individual, Charles R. Williams, 19, 22910 Millard Ave., Richton Park, was issued a municipal citation charging walking in the roadway. Mr. Williams signed his citation and was released on the scene. The fourth person, also a juvenile, was given to municipal citations charging walking in the roadway and curfew.\
Possession of a Controlled Substance
Corey B. Jackson, 38, 1946 Dartmouth Dr., Chicago Heights, was arrested on July 20 and charged with one count of possession of controlled substance (Class 3 Felony), one count of driving while license was suspended, one count of operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and one count of operating a motor vehicle with only one headlight illuminated.
An officer observed that the vehicle Mr. Jackson was driving westbound on Sauk Trail near Orchard Drive had only one operating a headlight, according to police.
When the responding officer checked the law enforcement agency database system (LEADS), the officer learned that Mr. Jackson’s driver’s license was suspended. The responding officer inventoried the vehicle prior to the vehicle being towed and located in the center console a triangular pinkish/purple pill with an “S” shaped symbol. At the Park Forest Police Department, the officer field-tested a portion of the pill which tested positive for the presumptive presence of MDMA (ecstasy), according to police.
Aggravated Assault
James E. Millsap III, 39, 235 Indiana St., Park Forest, was arrested on July 21 and charged with aggravated assault (domestic related), driving on a suspended license, and issued citations charging operation of an uninsured motor vehicle, illegal transportation of alcoholic liquor by a driver, possession of cannabis, and a parking ticket citation charging illegal parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant when police responded to the 200 block of Indiana Street at 1:50 AM in reference to a report of an unwanted subject.
When police arrived, they learned that the subject of the complaint, Mr. Millsap, had left the scene in his vehicle and was now allegedly chasing after a friend of the complainant. The vehicles had last been seen proceeding west on Indiana Street.
An officer spotted the vehicle that Mr. Millsap was driving and the vehicle he was allegedly following at the intersection of Indiana and Lee Streets. The person Mr. Millsap was allegedly following stopped her vehicle when she saw that an officer was on the scene. Mr. Millsap parked his vehicle, exited it, and hurried toward the woman stopped in the other vehicle, according to police.
Mr. Millsap and the woman began yelling and cursing at each other, according to police.
For purposes of everyone’s safety, the officer directed the woman Mr. Millsap allegedly followed to return to her residence so that officers could investigate the incident in a peaceful manner.
Mr. Millsap then began walking west on Indiana Street, away from the officers, according to police. The report states that Mr. Millsap appeared to be intoxicated, “having a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath.” Officers repeatedly asked for Mr. Millsap’s name and information which he allegedly refused to acknowledge, “while profoundly crying and shouting nonsensically,” according to police.
Police spoke with the complainant who ultimately provided Mr. Millsap’s information. It was at this point that police learned that Mr. Millsap’s driver’s license was suspended, according to police.
Mr. Millsap was assigned a court date on August 29 at the Markham Courthouse. He was later released at 6:45 AM after posting the required bond.
Possession of Cannabis
Ryan H. Pryor, 21, 20129 Catalpa Ave., Lynwood; and Jason W. Martin, 21, 515 N. Johnson St., Macomb, IL, were arrested on July 22 and issued municipal citations charging possession of cannabis when police were dispatched to the 100 block of Nashua Street at 11:26 PM to investigate a report of a suspicious auto.
When an officer approached the vehicle, he saw that two subjects were inside, later identified as Mr. Pryor and Mr. Martin. The driver, Mr. Pryor, opened the left driver’s side window of the vehicle and police observed a cloud of smoke emanating from inside of the vehicle, according to the report.
Police could immediately smell the odor of freshly burnt cannabis emanating from inside of the vehicle, according to police.
Both men were placed in handcuffs on suspicion of possession of cannabis.
Officers searched the vehicle and recovered a small clear plastic baggie containing a green plant-like substance, suspect cannabis, in between the front left driver’s seat and the center console, according to police.
Both men agreed to speak with police, allegedly telling police that they were smoking cannabis prior to the arrival of the officers. However, both men denied ownership of the clear plastic baggie containing the green plant-like substance, suspect cannabis, that was recovered from the vehicle.
Mr. Pryor’s vehicle was towed from the scene. Mr. Pryor and Mr. Martin were transported to the Park Forest Police Department where they both “signed and acknowledged the citations,” according to police. They were then released.
Possession of Cannabis
Demauni D. Bennett, 19, 3103 Kathleen Lane, Flossmoor, was arrested on July 23 and issued a municipal ticket charging possession of cannabis and a parking ticket charging “parked facing traffic,” when police responded to the 200 block of Miami Street at 4:14 AM to investigate a report of a suspicious vehicle.
Police located a vehicle parked the wrong way, facing traffic on the north side of Miami Street. Officers observed smoke rising out of both the driver and passenger windows. The officer smelled the scent of burnt cannabis emanating from the vehicle.
Police spoke with the driver, Mr. Bennett, and a juvenile passenger, who allegedly stated that they were sitting in the car smoking cannabis, according to police.
The juvenile was transported to her house where she was turned over to her mother, according to police. Mr. Bennett was transported to the Park Forest Police Department. Mr. Bennett’s vehicle was towed from the scene.
Disorderly Conduct
Latrece Whitaker, 48, 63 Ash St., Park Forest, was issued a municipal citation on July 23 charging disorderly conduct after police responded to the food pantry at St. Irenaeus Catholic Church at 10:31 AM to investigate a report of a disturbance. SouthCom Dispatch related that a woman was allegedly yelling and causing a disturbance at that location.
Upon arrival, police spoke with the coordinator of the food pantry program who stated that Ms. Whitaker attempted to push a shopping cart into a restricted area of the pantry. The coordinator advised Ms. Whitaker that she could not take the cart into the room, at which point Ms. Whitaker allegedly became upset and began to shout profanities, according to police.
The coordinator told Ms. Whitaker that she had to leave and Ms. Whitaker allegedly refused and began pacing around the lobby while continuing to shout profanities, according to police. At one point, the coordinator reported that Ms. Whitaker was within 12 inches of the coordinator and was allegedly yelling to such a degree that saliva was being expelled onto the coordinator’s face, according to police.
Ms. Whitaker eventually left after she learned that police were responding.
The coordinator stated that she wanted to sign complaints against Ms. Whitaker on a charge of disorderly conduct and wanted Ms. Whitaker banned from the location for one month.
Police responded to Ms. Whitaker’s address on Ash Street to make contact with a negative response. An officer contacted Ms. Whitaker via telephone and, without the officer stating the reason for the call or identifying himself, Ms. Whitaker allegedly stated, “I know you are calling about what happened at the food pantry.” Ms. Whitaker then allegedly confirmed that the altercation began over a shopping cart and allegedly admitted she was yelling inside the food pantry but said the coordinator yelled first.
The officer informed Ms. Whitaker that she was being issued a municipal citation charging disorderly conduct with a mandatory court date of August 15. Ms. Whitaker allegedly became uncooperative with the officer on the phone and related that she was not going to respond to the Park Forest Police Department nor would she answer her door to receive the citation, according to police.
The officer advised Ms. Whitaker that the citation would be posted on the front door of her residence and she was also advised of the month-long band at the pantry.
Later that same day, at 12:10 AM, the officer placed the citation in an envelope and posted it on Ms. Whitaker’s front door, according to police.
Violation of an Order of Protection
Joshua M. Saindon, 43, 109 Peach St., Park Forest, was arrested on July 23 and charged with violation of an order of protection after police responded to Monee Court to investigate a report of a violation of an order of protection.
According to police, Mr. Saindon is the complainant’s landlord. According to the report, Mr. Saindon allegedly began harassing the complainant on or about July 13. The complainant stated that Mr. Saindon repeatedly drove past the residence and also left threatening and racially disparaging voicemails on her cell phone.
On July 18, the complainant responded to the Park Forest Police Department to report the harassment, spoke with an officer, and was advised to obtain an order of protection. On July 19, the complainant responded to the Will County Courthouse in Joliet and obtained an order of protection (OOP), according to police.
The complainant showed the responding officer the OOP, and police confirmed that the OOP was valid.
On this date, Mr., Saindon arrived at the residence and began knocking on the door. The complainant refused to answer and informed Mr. Saindon that she was contacting the police. Mr. Saindon then walked to the rear of the residence and allegedly removed the electrical meter to the residence, thus shutting off electricity to the residence.
Mr. Saindon then entered his van and left the scene, according to the report.
When the responding officer exited the residence, he observed Mr. Saindon turning onto Monee Court from Monee Road. The officer spoke with Mr. Saindon, who told the officer that he came to the residence approximately 20 minutes prior to remove the electrical meter so he could take it to Village Hall and have the power terminated at the residence. Mr. Saindon then allegedly changed his story and told the officer that he was going to replace the meter, according to police.
Mr. Saindon denied threatening the complainant.
The responding officer allowed Mr. Saindon Eto retrieve the electrical meter from his vehicle and put it back in place, which restored electricity to the residence. Two other officers arrived on the scene to assist and Mr. Saindon was advised that he was under arrest on suspicion of violating an order of protection. Police transported Mr. Saindon to the Park Forest Police Department and secured him in a cell pending transport to the Will County Courthouse for a bond hearing.
