The Park Forest Burglary News Through October 22, 2018

Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Welcome to burglary season, that time of the year when many prepare for the holidays buying gifts. There are those who keep watch, looking in windows for wrapped and unwrapped gifts in living rooms and dining rooms, waiting for the opportunity to break in and relieve people of recently-purchased items. Let this burglary news report, our first in a few weeks, serve as a reminder that not all those watching have good intentions.

As always, there are reports of burglarized vehicles, most of which appear to have been left unlocked.

Smart TV, Cymbals Stolen

An LG Smart TV was reported stolen from a residence in the 100 block of Illinois Street on September 27. Additionally, two Zildjian cymbals from a drum set and $10 cash were also reported stolen. The resident noticed that a lower-level door of the home was unlocked when she returned home even though the door was locked when she left for work. The screen door at that entrance was damaged to.

Coppper Piping

Copper piping was reported stolen from a residence in the 300 block of Nokomis Street on September 29. The owner arrived to find water spraying from water pipes in the utility room. The water meter was also missing. A rear door to the residence, which had been locked, was discovered to be ajar.

More Copper Piping

Copper piping was reported stolen from a home in the first block of Marquette Street on October 6. The owner of the property went to the utility room and discovered that the water heater was knocked over and that a water pipe was exposed in the wall with water spouting into the residence. The owner called the Park Forest Fire Department to assess a potential gas leak and have the water shut off.

Wallet Taken from Car

A wallet was reported stolen from a car parked in the 300 block of Winnebago Street on October 9. The owner went outside at 7 AM and found that the driver’s door was ajar. He additionally discovered that contents from the glove compartment were strewn about the floor and front passenger side interior.

The owner believed that the car was locked overnight though there were no signs of forced entry to the vehicle, according to police.

Loose Change Stolen

The owner of a vehicle parked in the 100 block of Nanti Street reported on October 10 that her vehicle had been broken into sometime between 8:30 PM on October 9 and 7:14 AM on October 10. The owner discovered that glove compartment contents had been taken out and thrown on the front passenger seat. The center console had also been rifled through, according to police. A small Tupperware container with $10-$15 in change and a Samsung brand cell phone charger were also reported stolen. The owner was not sure if she locked the vehicle the night before.

Vehicle Ransacked

A vehicle parked in the 300 block of Meola Street was reported broken into on October 11. The owner said she believed she locked the doors of the vehicle the night before. When she came out to the vehicle at 6:50 AM, she noticed that the front passenger side door was ajar and unsecured. Furthermore, she noticed that the glove compartment was open and the contents had been rifled through. The contents of the center console had also been rifled through, according to police.

An officer noticed what appeared to be a pry mark made by a flat object, similar to a flat-head screwdriver, in the door jam between the upper column of the front passenger side door and the front column of the rear passenger door, according to police.

Rosary Thrown on Floor of Car

A vehicle parked in the 300 block of Meola Street was reported broken into on October 11. The owner discovered that a rosary that he keeps hanging from the mirror was misplaced and laying on the floorboard of the passenger side. He did not believe anything was taken from the vehicle. Officers did not notice any signs of forced entry to the vehicle.

Duffel Bag Stolen

A duffel bag was reported stolen from the trunk of a vehicle parked in the 400 block of Homan Avenue on October 11. The owner reported seeing on October 10 that the hood of his vehicle was opened slightly and that the center console was open and appeared to have been rummaged through the did not think this was strange as nothing appeared to be missing. Another family member stated that she observed that the hood of the vehicle was completely open on the morning of October 10 but did not think this was suspicious and did not call the police.

Purse and iPod Taken

Police were dispatched to the first block of McGarity Road on October 13 at 3:51 AM. While on their way, dispatch advised that the complainant observed a man in jogging pants break into his daughter’s car then exit and flee into the field across the street from his house. The man said that he woke up at 3:50 AM and looked out his front window. He observed a man sitting inside his daughter-in-law’s car which was parked in front of the residence.

The man was wearing blue jogging pants with red stripes on the sides and a dark-colored sweatshirt, according to police.

Police saw that the vehicle was unlocked and did not appear to have any signs of forced entry. The glove compartment was open and there were miscellaneous items like power cords, gloves, and papers on the passenger seat. The rest of the interior of the vehicle appeared to be very tidy, according to police.

The owner of the vehicle arrived and said that she might have left the vehicle unlocked by mistake. She said that a purse and an iPod that had been on the front passenger seat of the car were missing.

State ID, Social Security Card, Debit Card, Cash

An Illinois state identification card, a Social Security card, a debit card, sunglasses, and approximately $204 cash were reported stolen from a vehicle parked in the first block of Oak Lane on October 16. The owner reported receiving a call from the bank that morning at 8:05 AM that suspicious purchases totaling $63.78 were made using his debit card, one in University Park and the other in Chicago.

On October 18, the owner received a letter in the mail from an unknown address containing his Illinois identification card, his bank debit card, and a note. The note stated that the two cards were found on the ground at a Shell gas station in the 9800 block of South Halsted Street in Chicago.

Residential Alarm Sounds

Police responded to a residential alarm in the 300 block of Douglas Street on October 16. The alarm company said that the alarm was activated by the front door and motion in a hallway. Upon arrival, the responding officer noticed that the front door to the residence was open with no signs of forced entry. Another officer responded to the scene and the two cleared the interior of the residence.

No one was found inside and nothing appeared to be disturbed in the interior of the residence. Later, the owner said that a PlayStation 4 was missing.

Fur Coats

Fur coats were reported stolen from a residence in the first block of Elm Street on October 20. A neighbor heard loud stomping next door and saw broken glass. Others reported seeing an individual they knew. Police have suspect information and are investigating.

iPhone

An Apple iPhone was reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 200 block of Early Street on October 22. The owner told police that he intentionally left his vehicle unlocked because he locked his keys in his car numerous times in the past.

Loose Change

Approximately $10 in loose change was reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 200 block of Illinois Street on October 22.