Vending machine explodes, prompts arson investigation
On Sept. 18, police said officers responded with the fire department for the report of a vending machine on fire in the 400 block of E. Schiller at around 9:36 p.m. Witnesses reported hearing multiple pops before observing sparks coming from the vending machine. Upon further investigation, the remains of a bottle rocket were recovered. This case is pending investigation.
Witness hears ‘whoosh’ as crouching suspect deflates tire
On Sept. 17, Daniel Oancea, 52, of Oakbrook Terrace, was charged with criminal damage to property in the 100 block of S. West at around 4:33 p.m. Police said an officer responded to the Plunkett Park parking lot, where a witness related that he observed Oancea crouching next to the victim’s vehicle and subsequently heard a loud whooshing sound coming from the victim’s tire.
Juvenile cited after pretending to fire BB gun at others
On Sept. 23, a complainant told police that a juvenile suspect pretended to fire his unloaded BB gun at the victim as she and a group of friends rode their bikes in front of the suspect’s residence. The suspect was cited for disorderly conduct and was released on scene to his parent.
Wise young lady reports suspicious person
On Sept. 19, a reporting officer met with a complainant in the 900 block of N. York who stated her juvenile daughter felt uncomfortable after a suspect asked where she lived. The suspect admitted to approaching the victim but stopped once her mother confronted him. The reporting officer spoke with the manager of the business who requested the suspect be served with a no-trespass notice. The suspect was served with a no-trespass notice and released from the scene.
Victim swindled at store by suspect on motorized scooter
On Sept. 23, theft was reported in the 600 block of N. York at around 6:16 p.m. A victim told police that while shopping at a local store, a suspect who was riding in a store-issued motorized scooter, asked her to reach for items on the shelf. The victim noticed her wallet was missing from her purse and confronted the suspect as he walked out of the store. The suspect denied taking her wallet and walked away.
