Ten cited during rowdy funeral
Passengers hanging out of cars, vehicles blocking traffic, swerving into oncoming lanes epitomized the general disorder during a rowdy funeral procession traveling west on Roosevelt Road to Forest Home Cemetery about 1 p.m. on July 21.
At least two people called Forest Park police, complaining that drivers were flashing gang signs and behaving recklessly. A red light camera at Roosevelt Road in Berwyn shows drivers swerving into oncoming lanes of traffic, blocking lanes, with some occupants hanging out of vehicle windows. Officers identified 10 drivers violating Forest Park ordinances regarding negligent driving and funeral processions. The hearse that led the procession was registered to Limousine James Professional.
Police mailed 11 ordinance violations to registered vehicle owners via certified mail at the U.S. Post Office.
Burglar steals car keys, gun from condo
A man walked into a condo about 1 p.m. at 215 Marengo on July 27, took a backpack and then walked out. The head of the condo association told police the condos are currently under construction and most residents are not staying in the condos while work is being done. They told officers that doors to the building are usually locked but, since work is being done, the crew may have left doors open.
The condo owner arrived at his property at 2:30 p.m. that day, and found the keys to his Nissan and a loaded gun missing. The pistol was entered into the police database as stolen.
Woman sleeps in Currie Motors’ car
A woman entered a Chevrolet parked in the storage lot at Currie Motors about 10:55 p.m. and fell asleep while waiting for the bus on July 26.
When officers arrived at 7901 Roosevelt, she told them, “I missed my bus, we used to do this all the time when we were kids.” She later added: “I didn’t do anything to the vehicle I was just waiting for the bus.” At first, she provided officers with a fake name. A search of her person revealed an ID in her pants.
The woman was charged with criminal trespass to a vehicle.
License plate also stolen from dealership
About 12:15 p.m. on July 23, a Dodge Charger with no license plate was driven into Currie Motors, 8401 Roosevelt Road, the driver stepped out, and stole a dealer license plate. About two hours later, the driver returned, but an employee recognized the offenders and they fled. The license plate has been entered as stolen in the police database.
Two cars broken into
Between 3 p.m. on July 26 and 9:30 a.m. on July 27, someone broke into a Ford parked on the 100 block of Elgin and attempted to start the vehicle by prying off the bottom panel of the steering wheel. A radio was stolen. The victim said they had issues with the car locks and they were not secure.
Between 10 p.m. on July 27 and 9 a.m. on July 28, someone broke into a locked Toyota parked on the 900 block of Beloit and stole a pair of Oakley sunglasses valued at $190.
Police find heroin during traffic stop
While on patrol about 5:19 p.m. on July 12, police noticed a man driving an Infiniti west on Desplaines Avenue near I-290 without a seatbelt
The officer attempted to curb the vehicle, but the driver didn’t stop. Police blared their air horn to get his attention.
As he approached the driver, the officer noticed him attempt to swallow an object. He also spotted two bags containing heroin residue in the center console, and a white powdery substance on his lap. As the man got out of the vehicle, a bundle of about 10 bags dropped from his shorts, which were later found to contain heroin. The man told police he swallowed his medication when they approached.
He was charged with possession of a controlled substance and issued an ordinance violation for driving without a seatbelt.
Couple found with cannabis at Thornton’s
Police arrived at 8:49 p.m. on July 29 at Thornton’s, 601 Harlem, on a call about people who were sitting in a Ford staring at other patrons.
When officers approached the vehicle they smelled the odor of cannabis. Police asked a passenger about it and the Elmwood Park man responded he didn’t have any. When the man exited the car, officers noticed a bag containing suspected cannabis in the passenger door. Another passenger told police she had two cigarettes containing cannabis in her bra.
Both were issued an ordinance violation for containing less than 10 grams of cannabis.
These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, July 22-30, 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
