The Elmhurst Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that subjects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17-or-younger are not named.
Child endangerment
March 26
Police said that during an argument between a juvenile victim and the suspect (mother), the suspect walked away from the victim and proceeded to go down the street from the above location, leaving the juvenile victim unattended. An officer contacted DCFS.
Criminal damage to property/motor vehicle/criminal trespass to property/motor vehicle/damage to property
March 28
An officer near Addison and Second reported at around 8:19 a.m. that a “Keep Right” sign had been knocked off its concrete foundation. The Public Works Dept. has been notified of the issue. Also on the same date in the same location at around 10:29 a.m., a City employee reported that while conducting his daily walk-through inspection of the parking deck, he came across several damaged fire extinguisher box pull stations on several levels of the parking deck.
March 27-March 28
A complainant at a local business in the 500 block of W. Wrightwood told police that the front passenger side window of a work van had been broken sometime between the above dates. The complainant reported nothing was missing from the van. Damage was estimated at $200.
March 26-March 28
A manager at a local business in the 400 block of W. Fullerton told police that sometime between the above dates, an unknown suspect(s) damaged the hatch on the rear overhead door to one of his trucks.
March 25-March 28
An employee at a local business in the 400 block of W. Wrightwood told police that when he arrived to work that morning, he noticed the lock on the side door of a trailer had been partially pried.
March 26
Police said an unknown suspect(s) broke the red plastic cover for the fire extinguisher box that is located in the Addison Parking Deck.
March 24
An officer responded for a criminal damage to property report in the 100 block of W. Jackson at around 9:32 p.m. The caller informed police that a brick went through the living room window of her residence.
March 23-March 24
A victim in the 900 block of S. Cedar told police that an unknown suspect may have shot a BB through a window at the residence. Officers evaluated the damage on the window but were unable to determine whether or not it was caused by a projectile.
March 22-March 25
A victim in the 900 block of S. Cedar Ave. told police that between the above dates, an unknown suspect(s) damaged four windowpanes on her home. The damage appears to be consistent with being struck by small caliber BBs. The neighbor next door filed a report of similar damage to her home in the approximate same time frame.
Disorderly conduct
March 30
Matthew Morrison, 28, of Carol Stream, issued a citation for disorderly conduct in the 100 block of W. First St. at around 11:48 a.m. Police said Morrison was intoxicated when he exited a train at the Elmhurst train depot.
March 24
An officer responded to the third floor of a local hospital for the odor of smoke. Security reviewed video and found a suspect walking through the hallway, light a cigarette lighter, and touched the wall with the lighter. Hospital security declined to press charges but requested the suspect be served with a trespass notice.
Domestic battery
March 29
A 35-year-old Elmhurst man was arrested in the 100 block of N. Addison at around 10:51 p.m. and charged with domestic battery and possession of drug paraphernalia. Subsequent to a verbal argument, police said the suspect cut the right upper thigh of the victim. He also was in possession of drug paraphernalia.
DUI/DUI-drugs/illegal consumption/possession of alcohol by a minor/public intoxication/hosting an underage drinking party
March 29
Pawel Armatys, 19, of Schiller Park, and Nikolao Chuku, 18, of Rosemont, were arrested at an extended stay facility in the 500 block of W. Grand at around 11:12 p.m. Police said officers responded to an excessive noise complaint at the above location. They located the two suspects who were all under 21 and had consumed alcohol, according to police. Both were charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor.
March 27
Shentel Merritt, 42, of Bellwood, was arrested near Lake and West at around 12:01 a.m. Subsequent to a traffic stop, police said Merritt was found to be DUI. The suspect admitted to drinking and smoking cannabis, according to police. He was charged with improper lane usage, no insurance, and DUI-alcohol and drugs combination.
March 26
Brian Peterson, 19, of Elmhurst, was arrested in the 500 block of W. North Ave. at around 10:40 p.m. Police said an officer observed Peterson purchase alcohol and found that he was under 21. He was charged with unlawful use of a fictitious ID and possession of alcohol by a minor.
March 25
Vincent J. Gaudio, 18, of Elmhurst, was arrested in the 500 block of W. St. Charles Road at around 9:22 p.m. Police said officers observed Gaudio pull into a parking lot and enter a liquor store. According to police, Gaudio exited the store holding a plastic bag with a bottle of alcohol. Officers confronted Gaudio, who admitted he was only 18. He handed over the alcohol and a fake ID. Gaudio was charged with unlawful use of fictitious identification and possession of alcohol by a minor.
Possession of cannabis/drug paraphernalia/controlled substance/tobacco
March 26
Jamal U. Ibrahim, 28, of Schiller Park, was arrested near Grand Avenue and Industrial Drive at around 2:23 a.m. Subsequent to a traffic stop, police said Ibrahim was found to be in possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia, for which he was charged along with no rear registration plate light.
March 25
• Marcus K. Rouse, 27, of Maywood, was arrested in the 600 block of W. North Ave. at around 8:59 p.m. Subsequent to a traffic stop, police said Rouse was found to be in possession of more than 10 grams of cannabis and was charged with possession.
• Joseph A. Whelan, 22, of Villa Park, was arrested near York and Madison at around 2:59 a.m. Subsequent to a citizen assist contact requesting a ride, police said Whelan admitted to having a hypodermic needle and was placed under arrest. He was also found to be concealing one bag of heroin and one bag with heroin residue in his right sock, police said. Whelan was charged with unauthorized possession of a controlled substance and a hypodermic needle.
March 24
Francesca M. Peters, 18, and Elexis M. Sutfin, 19, both of Franklin Park, were arrested near York and Crestview at around 1:39 a.m. Subsequent to a traffic stop, police said there was an odor of cannabis coming from the vehicle. Peters admitted to having a glass smoking pipe in the center console, according to police, while Sutfin admitted she had cannabis and a cannabis smoking piper on her person. Peters was charged with no rear registration light and possession of drug paraphernalia. Sutfin was charged with possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia.
Public complaint
March 27
Roger Grobe, 77, of Elmhurst, was issued a citation by police in the 600 block of Rex Blvd. at around 1:47 p.m. Police responded to a public complaint call that Grobe was shooting squirrels with a pellet gun. Police said Grobe admitted he shot two dead squirrels in his yard.
Suspicious circumstances
March 28
• A victim in the 200 block of N. Myrtle told police that after arriving home from a business trip he pulled into his driveway and observed a silver vehicle parked near his detached garage. He unlocked the door to his residence and found nothing was missing. While checking the residence, he observed two young males exit his garage. Then his doorbell rang and a female apologized for parking in the victim’s driveway, stating she was a friend of the victim’s stepson.
• An officer responded to a gas station in the 600 block of W. North Ave. at around 8:46 p.m. to the report of a suspicious person in the parking lot, asking people to move his vehicle. The officer had seen the vehicle earlier and a delayed inquiry revealed the subject to have an active warrant out of Villa Park. The officer asked the subject his name and advised him of the warrant. The suspect was turned over to Villa Park police.
March 27
Officers responded to a report of an unknown suspect attempting to approach a victim. The suspect asked about the victim’s puppy she was walking. The victim did not acknowledge the suspect, who then pulled away from the curb.
March 26
Officers responded to the area of St. Charles and Route 83 at around 6:06 p.m. to the report of a possible criminal damage to property at the Elmhurst water tower. Suspects were stopped and admitted that they were at the water tower, but noticed the door to the water tower was locked and began to leave the area. No pry marks were noted by officers.
Theft/burglary/attempted theft or burglary/identity theft/fraud/forgery/deceptive practice/obstruction/robbery
March 30
A victim at a recreational facility in the 200 block of W. First told police he left his change of clothes, prescription reading glasses and car key in an unlocked locker while he used the facilities. Upon his return to the locker, he found his items missing from it.
March 29-March 30
Victim in the 200 block of N. Larch told police his vehicle had last been used on March 29 and has since been stolen out of his driveway. According to police, a grey-haired man, about 50, rang the doorbell at around 10:30 a.m. March 30, but the victim’s son did not answer the door, nor did he notice if the vehicle was still in the driveway.
March 29
• Officers responded to the area of North and York at around 10:46 a.m. on report of a retail theft in Villa Park, where a suspect described as a black male took several cell phones and fled the area. Officers observed the vehicle, confirmed the plate and attempted to make a traffic stop. The vehicle fled the area at a high rate of speed. Officers did not pursue the vehicle.
• A victim in the 400 block of N. Ridgeland Ave. told police he received a letter from a mobile phone company saying an unknown person(s) used his personal information to activate a device and open a fraudulent account.
• A victim in the 200 block of N. Highland Ave. told police they received an IRS letter in the mail stating a tax return had been filed and they needed to verify the victim’s identity in order to process the return. After contacting the IRS, the victims were advised to cancel the fraudulent return and contact the Social Security Administration.
March 28
• A victim in the 300 block of S. Route 83 told police she received an email from her landlord requesting she deposit her rent into the account of a particular bank. The victim sent the deposit and then called her landlord to confirm the money was sent. The landlord stated he had not sent her an email asking for the rent money.
• Officers responded to the report of a suspect who took a tin of chewing tobacco from a local convenience store in the 500 block of S. Spring at around 8:44 p.m. and left without paying. The suspect was located with the tobacco and was found to be under the age of 18. He was charged with possession of tobacco by a minor and retail theft.
March 27-March 28
A complainant in the 1000 block of S. Route 83 told police that an unknown suspect(s) broke into a trailer parked on his lot. The trailer’s right-side door was bent up at the bottom of the door and cabinets were taken from the front of the trailer.
March 27
• Theft was reported at a car leasing company in the 800 block of N. York. While on routine patrol at the above location, an officer observed a tire cable lock hanging from a parked white van. Upon further investigation, officers discovered that six tires had been removed from six vehicles in the parking lot of the business.
• A victim in the 300 block of E. Third told police that sometime overnight, the passenger side window of his vehicle had been completely shattered and miscellaneous documents had been pulled out from the glove compartment.
March 26
A victim in the 600 block of W. North Ave. told police that as she entered a local business, she saw a silver minivan pull up behind her and an unknown suspect ran toward her. Victim entered the business and quickly secured the door preventing the suspect from entering. Both suspects drove off in an unknown direction. The case is pending investigation.
March 25
A victim in the 100 block of N. Palmer Drive told police that at approximately 2:30 p.m. he left his unlocked Razor® scooter at a bike rack near a local pharmacy. When he returned at 4:15 p.m., the scooter was gone.
Feb. 6-March 25
A victim in the 800 block of Colfax told police that an unknown suspect(s) stole his permanent immigration card. The victim had been tracking his card for the last two months through the USPS.com website. The victim filed an investigation with the Postal Service.
Feb. 25-March 24
A victim in the 200 block of N. Oakland Ave. came to the police department to report that an unknown suspect(s) used false checks in his name to deposit money toward two individuals. The victim checked his account balance at night and the next morning, he noticed the amount was significantly less.
March 9-March 16
According to police, a suspect walked the complainant’s dogs in the 100 block of S. Lawndale while the family was gone. Upon returning home, the complainant was notified by their bank that the suspect attempted to cash a check from their account. The complainant then found his checkbook missing and agreed to press charges.
March 2
A victim in the 500 block of W. Second told police she received a letter from Speedy Cash about missing a payment on her account. The victim contacted Speedy Cash and told them she has never had an account there. Because a loan application had been completed using her name, address, and Social Security number, the victim was advised to make a police report.
Oct. 17, 2014
A victim in the 100 block of N. Maple told police that in 2014, he invested with the suspect’s real estate company. The investment property closed and showed a net profit. Proceeds were to be issued to the victim but no payment has been made. The victim wished to pursue criminal complaints for theft by deception.
Warrant service
March 27
Leon Chatman, 36, and Eugene Howard, 51, both of Maywood, were arrested near North and Addison at around 2:20 a.m. Subsequent to a traffic stop, police said Chatman and Howard were both found to have in-state failure to appear warrants. Chatman was additionally charged with possession of cannabis.
