Approximately six shots were fired in and outside of a home in the 1100 block of Thomas Avenue at 7:11 p.m. on March 12, according to Forest Park Police Chief Thomas Aftanas. There reportedly were no injuries.
“It definitely wasn’t a random act,” Aftanas said. “It doesn’t happen often, especially in the residential areas, but obviously it does happen and it can happen anywhere.”
Aftanas said there were several people in the house before the shooting — with possibly two in the basement and another upstairs — when several others arrived at the house and “supposedly something started upstairs.”
The police chief said there were a “couple” of suspected shots fired in the home, as well as a few outside the house, but he wasn’t sure of the exact numbers in each location.
Police believe a 9 mm weapon was used, although they did not recover any firearms. Aftanas said there was some evidence that marijuana was being used in the home although “we don’t know if that had anything to do with what started this. It’s still too early to tell.”
Aftanas said police have identified at least two persons of interest — a man who lives in the home and a male resident of Bellwood. Both have been interviewed and released pending other witness interviews and “more evidence has to be gone through.” Aftanas said he wasn’t aware of any other incidents that occurred in the home.
He urged anyone with information or surveillance video to call the department’s non-emergency line at 708-366-2425.
“We would love to hear from you,” Aftanas said.
Gun recovered in lot
Officers arrived at the intersection of Desplaines and Roosevelt about 10:30 p.m. on March 14, after a call about a man with a gun. Police saw a Kia attempting to leave the Walmart parking lot, 1300 Desplaines Ave. Officers swerved in front of the car, forcing it to park.
A Broadview man exited the vehicle, and officers handcuffed him.
Police ordered a Maywood woman out of the vehicle and on the ground, carefully handcuffing her since she was pregnant. They searched the vehicle and found a loaded handgun and bag of suspect marijuana behind the passenger seat.
Neither individual had valid concealed carry or FOID cards. Police said the Broadview man was also appeared to be under the influence of ecstasy (MDMA). He received a misdemeanor charge for unlawful use of weapon, resisting officers, and an ordinance violation for possession of cannabis.
Teens steal car from daycare
Two teens stole a Chevrolet Impala from Kangaroo Korner Learning Center, 900 Beloit, about 3:20 p.m. on March 15. The victim told police she was picking up her child from the facility, left her vehicle running, and two teens climbed into her vehicle.
The car stopped on the 800 block of Beloit, and the two boys got out of the car and fled on foot. Police captured them on the 1000 block of Marengo, but the victim refused to press charges.
Obscenity-spewing man arrested for DUI
Police pulled over a Mustang to the 300 block of Burkhardt Court about 1:45 a.m. on March 13. Officers immediately recognized a Wood Dale man, 23, behind the wheel, since he had been kicked out of Angelo O’Leary’s earlier in the evening for acting belligerently and exposing himself. Police said they smelled booze on the man.
He was transported to the Forest Park Police Department, where he started yelling racial and obscene slurs at officers. He told police he had a “couple” beers.
The Wood Dale man blew a blood alcohol content of 0.177, more than twice the legal limit. In the holding cell, he took off his pants and underwear and told police, “you’re just in time for me to kill myself.” Officers decided to move him to a cell where he was under constant watch, but the man wouldn’t leave his cell, telling police “you all are going to have to come get me out of here.” He put his hands up in an aggressive manner. Police handcuffed him and transported him to a new cell. He spat on officers.
The man was charged with driving under the influence, battery and driving without headlights.
These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Forest Park Police Department, March 11-18, 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.
Nona Tepper
