Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- These police reports include arrests from February 4 through February 11, 2020. There were only two arrests during this week, one in connection with an outstanding warrant, the other on a municipal charge of battery.
This was a week that we received later. Getting caught up now in the midst of the novel coronavirus crisis. Neither of these calls relates to the novel coronavirus or COVID-19. Just adding that information to “timestamp” when these reports were published for those who return to read them years from now, for whatever reason.
We include the picture of Officer Tim Jones because he continues to inspire us all, especially during times of crisis.
Please note that we repeatedly say “according to police” in these reports and often use the word “allegedly.” We are not asserting in any way that those arrested and/or charged have committed any offenses. We report on what is in the media reports furnished by police. As those charged are innocent until proven guilty, the burden is on prosecutors and police to prove all alleged crimes.
Providing more details than readers will find in any other police beat reports, we invite readers to subscribe to get the whole story, every day.
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.
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 end up with 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.
Warrant: Failure to Appear
Shandra O. Bibbins, 22, 38 Sauk Trail, Park Forest, was arrested on February 6 and processed in connection with an extraditable warrant out of Will County on a charge of failure to appear.
Police were dispatched to the first block of Sauk Trail to investigate a report of a disturbance. After investigating, and due to conflicting stories at the scene, no arrests were made in connection with the alleged disturbance, according to police.
Police discovered Ms. Bibbins’ active an extraditable warrant when they did a LEADS inquiry on everyone allegedly connected to the reason police were called in the first place, according to police.
Battery
Aaron J. Bunton, 36, 348 Shabbona Dr., Park Forest, was arrested on February 8 and issued a municipal citation charging battery after police responded to the 300 block of Miami Street at 7:49 AM to investigate a report of battery.
The man told police that he was salting his driveway and sidewalk at his home in the 300 block of Miami Street when he was approached by a man, later identified as Aaron J. Bunton, who asked him, “Do you remember me?” Mr. Bunton then allegedly punched the Miami Street resident two to three times, knocking him to the ground, according to police.
While the man was on the ground, Mr. Bunton allegedly kicked him one time, according to the police.
The man said he did not remember Mr. Bunton saying anything as he walked away, according to police. The man entered his residence and called 911. He told police that he did not know the name of the man who allegedly punched him and nor did he know that the man lived on Shabbona Drive, according to police.
A witness was able to identify Mr. Bunton for police, according to the report. Mr. Bunton responded to the Park Forest Police Department after an officer contacted him, according to police.
Mr. Bunton told police that he paid the man to mow his lawn in the summer of 2019 and the man allegedly made inappropriate comments to his wife, according to police. Mr. Bunton allegedly admitted that he struck the man in the face, knocking him to the ground, cautioning him to “stay away from my house,” according to police.
