Test drive turns into extra towing charge
After asking to take a test drive, a man stole his own car from H&R Auto, 805 S. Hannah Ave., on Nov. 14. About 5:40 p.m., the man came into the shop and asked to take his car for a test drive, according to the police report. H&R had been working on the Pontiac’s suspension. An H&R representative told the man he could take a drive as long as a shop employee came with him.
The man drove to 800 Marengo Ave., exited the car, and began talking to the driver of a nearby vehicle. Not knowing what was happening, the H&R employee also exited the Pontiac. Once the employee was out of the car, the owner jumped back in and drove away toward Harlem Avenue.
The Pontiac was later located on the 4700 block of Gladys Avenue. H&R towed the car back to the shop. The owner now owes nearly $1,400 for services rendered, including the additional towing fee.
Lock cut on landscaping trailer
at McAdam
McAdam Landscaping was burglarized again, with about $1,050 in equipment stolen. Someone cut the padlock of a landscaping trailer at 2001 Desplaines Ave., and stole a leaf blower estimated at $400; a tree trimmer worth about $400; and a hedge trimmer valued at $250, according to a police report. The burglary occurred sometime between closing time Saturday afternoon and about 6:20 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13. A similar burglary occurred at McAdam in October.
Rental left running, car stolen
A rental car was stolen as a man paid for fuel at Thornton’s gas station, 601 Harlem Ave., on Nov. 12. A man left his Dodge Charger running as he paid for gas inside about 2:30 a.m., according to the police report. While inside, he witnessed a man, approximately 6 feet tall, slender, age about 20, get in the car and drive away. A representative from Hertz Rental Agency tracked the car to the area of Jackson Boulevard and Hamlin Street in Chicago. The Chicago Police Department said they would check the area. Meanwhile, the vehicle has been reported as missing.
Driving recklessly, drunk
Three men were arrested for driving drunk and recklessly, while carrying cannabis, on Nov. 11. A police officer spotted the Chevrolet Equinox heading west on Jackson Boulevard about 5:40 p.m., according to the police report. The Chevrolet turned at the intersection of Jackson Boulevard and Adams Street. An officer pulled behind the car and turned his emergency lights on. The offending driver turned east onto the 7600 block of Monroe and pulled over.
The officer exited his car, and approached the Chevrolet, which contained a driver and three passengers. The officer said he smelled alcohol and cannabis inside the car. The driver said, “I don’t have a license.” The officer then asked the driver if he had a state ID. The driver said he did, but instead of searching for it, he quickly drove away.
Police later spotted the Chevrolet traveling east on Harrison Street at Circle Avenue. The car crossed Harlem Avenue into Oak Park. It then crashed into several cars at Garfield Street and Euclid Avenue in Oak Park. The driver and passengers fled the vehicle on foot. After a short chase, officers caught the passengers. The driver is still missing.
One passenger told police the driver of the vehicle, who is his cousin, had drunk three large cups of tequila before driving. The passenger was cited for possession of cannabis, since he had a burnt joint in his pocket and a clear plastic baggy that contained a green, leaf-like substance in his shoe. The front-seat passenger was arrested for open alcohol, since an open bottle of tequila was found in the front seat. The other back-seat passenger was charged with resist, obstruction and disarming an officer. His court date is Dec. 12 at 10 a.m.
Car, left running, stolen
A man’s car and phone were stolen at 711 on Nov. 14. The driver exited his black Mercedes-Benz after pumping gas about 4:45 p.m. at 205 Harlem Ave., according to a police report. He took his keys with him, but left the car running. A red Impala While the man was inside the 711, a man wearing a black hoodie jumped out of the red Impala, which reportedly had been circling the gas station, and stepped into the Mercedes. The Impala and the stolen Mercedes took off. The man’s iPhone had been in the car, and was lost too.
Purse stolen
A woman’s purse was stolen as she chatted at Mugsy’s, 7640 Madison St., on Nov. 14. The customer hung her black purse on the back of a bar stool about 1 a.m., according to the police report. When she got up to leave about 3 a.m., she said her purse was gone. It contained a Hungarian passport, two apartment keys, one key fob, and $20.
These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, Nov. 13-19, and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.
Compiled by Nona Tepper
