The Elmhurst Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. 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.
Criminal damage, criminal defacement
Feb. 7
A complainant in the 400 block of Spring told police at around 11:22 p.m. that an unknown suspect(s) used black spray paint on several windows in a condo complex.
Disorderly conduct, disturbance, domestic battery
Feb. 10
A complainant near Route 83 and North advised at 8:02 a.m. that while on the I-290, the suspect was driving erratically and made a hand gesture depicting a gun. The reporting officer advised the Illinois
State Police.
Feb. 7
James P. Lafferty, 51, of Cicero, and Donal G. McDaid, 52, of Elmhurst, were issued citations for fighting in public in the 500 block of S. York at around 9:44 p.m. Police said that subsequent to ordering an Uber, Lafferty was involved in an argument with McDaid and a physical fight ensued.
DUI, DUI-drugs, illegal transportation of alcohol
Feb. 7
Lauren M. Biamonte, 35, of Chicago, was charged with DUI, improper lane usage and no insurance subsequent to a hit-and-run traffic crash near S. York and S. Robert Palmer at around 10:28 p.m.
Feb. 6
Juan Valdez, 25, of Cicero, was charged with DUI and improper lane usage subsequent to a traffic stop near S. Route 83 and W. Butterfield at around 1:49 a.m.
Feb. 5
Robert W. Johnson, 29, of Maywood, was charged with DUI, illegal transportation of open alcohol and expired registration subsequent to a traffic stop near York and Fremont at around 12:29 p.m. Police said Johnson also was found to have a valid warrant from the Maywood Police Department.
Fleeing, eluding
Feb. 6
Police said a reporting officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on an offending vehicle near N. Route 83 and W. North at around 3:03 a.m. for tinted windows and improper lane usage. The offending vehicle stopped, but then accelerated and fled at a high rate of speed. A newer model red Dodge Charger was seen following the offending vehicle, which was last seen traveling eastbound on I-290.
Harassment, threats
Feb. 9
A complainant in the 400 block of W. Third told police at around 7:35 p.m. that she received harassing text messages from her ex-boyfriend. The reporting officer spoke with the suspect and advised him to cease contact with the complainant.
Possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance
Feb. 11
Taleah M. West, 20, of Chicago, was charged with possession of cannabis by the driver, no valid driver’s license, improper lane usage, improper display of registration plate and no insurance subsequent to a traffic stop near Roosevelt and Villa at around 2:10 a.m.
Feb. 10
Melissa Talaga, 23, of Elmhurst, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia in the 100 block of Mayo at around 9:42 a.m. Police said that subsequent to a check on well-being, Talaga was found to be in possession of controlled substances.
Feb. 9
Jarmie Hanner, 34, of Maywood, was issued a citation for possession of cannabis by the driver subsequent to a traffic stop near N. York and E. Lake at around 8:45 p.m.
Suspicious circumstances
Feb. 6
A complainant at a gas station in the 1000 block of N. York told police at around 11:21 a.m. that the suspect sideswiped his vehicle while it was parked at the gas pump. The reporting officer reviewed store surveillance footage which showed the suspect’s vehicle did not strike the complainant’s vehicle. The suspect reportedly swore at the victim and left the scene prior to officer’s arrival.
Feb. 5
A victim in the 400 block of W. Butterfield told police at around 7:46 a.m. that the suspect came onto his property with a snow shovel on his shoulder and began “running his mouth.” The victim stated he could not hear what the suspect was saying to him. The suspect stated he was never on his property, said he just said hello to him, and the victim began swearing at him. Due to conflicting accounts of the incident, no arrests were made.
Theft/burglary/attempted theft or burglary/identity theft/fraud/forgery/deceptive practice/obstruction/robbery
Feb. 10
Theft was reported in the 100 block of E. Fellows at around 7:11 p.m. A victim reports purchasing a camera from Amazon. Upon delivery of the package, the victim opened the package and found Amazon had delivered an empty box.
Feb. 3-Feb. 6
Theft of vehicle parts was reported at an apartment complex in the 100 block of Fellows. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) stole the catalytic converter from her vehicle while it was parked in the parking lot of the complex sometime between the above dates.
Feb. 5
A vehicle was reported stolen from a car dealership in the 300 block of W. Grand at around 1:58 p.m. Police said an agent for the dealership reports employees were moving vehicles to clear the lot for snow removal operations. An unknown suspect entered a 2018 white Honda Pilot (no registration), which was left running with the keys in the vehicle and drove the vehicle off of the lot. The vehicle was entered into LEADS/NCIC.
A vehicle was reported stolen from a car dealership in the 100 block of N. Route 83 at around 4:49 p.m. Police said the owner of the car dealership reports the suspect expressed interest in purchasing a gray Jeep Grand Cherokee. The suspect was given the keys in order to inspect the vehicle. While employees were distracted, the suspect drove the car off the lot in an unknown direction. The vehicle was entered into LEADS/NCIC.
Feb. 4
Alexandra Morici, 20, of Elmhurst, was issued citations for possession of a fictitious driver’s license and speeding subsequent to a traffic stop near West and Alexander at around 9:15 a.m.
Theft was reported at a store in the 900 block of S. York at around 2:02 p.m. A victim told police that as she was shopping at Jewel-Osco, she placed her open purse in her shopping cart. Sometime while shopping, an unknown suspect removed a small pink wallet from inside of her purse. The victim canceled her credit cards. The driver’s license was entered into LEADS.
Jan. 21-Jan. 22
Theft was reported in the 600 block of S. Bryan. A victim told police that she ordered a new phone which was delivered via UPS sometime between the above dates. Upon opening the package, she discovered it had been tampered with and the phone was missing.
Jan. 11
Identity theft was reported at Willow Tree Court at around 11:03 a.m. Police said a reporting officer met with a complainant who stated while reviewing her mother’s finances, she discovered two fraudulent transactions. Upon further review, the complainant discovered two checks had been written using her mother’s signature. The victim’s bank requested the matter be documented to receive reimbursement.
Oct. 23-Nov. 9, 2020
Theft was reported at a business in the 700 block of N. Larch. A complainant told police that she wrote a check to an outside company. After reviewing the company’s account, it was discovered that the check had been altered and paid to an unknown recipient sometime between the above dates. The complainant does not know how or where the check was deposited.
Unemployment benefits identity theft
According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported 20 incidents of identity theft with the intention of using a victim’s personal information to fraudulently apply for unemployment benefits through the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Unlawful use of a weapon
Feb. 9
Brittni Buckner, 27, of Hillside, was charged with unlawful use of a weapon and tinted windows subsequent to a traffic stop near E. Lexington and S. York at around 7:40 p.m. Police said Buckner was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun. Buckner stated she had a valid FOID card but was not aware the firearm needed to be unloaded and secured, according to police.
