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.
Battery
Sept. 27
Subsequent to a dispatch for a fight in progress, with 20 to 30 people fighting in the Diplomat West parking lot in the 600 block of W. North Ave. at around 12:17 a.m., multiple subjects were located and identified as being involved in this incident. Jeffrey Williams, 28, of Addison, was charged with one state count of battery for pushing the bride, causing her to rip her dress, according to police. Kevin Lynch, 37, of Lombard, was charged with one state count of battery for allegedly punching Williams in the face. Charles Lasala, 32, of Streamwood, was charged with one count of battery for allegedly punching Williams in the face.
Criminal damage to property/motor vehicle/trespass to property
Sept. 28
Franca Ergastolo, 37, of Cicero, was arrested in the 100 block of E. Brush Hill at around 9:55 a.m. Elmhurst Hospital security told police that Ergastolo refused to leave the emergency room after being treated and released. Ergastolo was charged with trespass to real property. A trespass notice also was issued to the suspect, prohibiting her from entering the property.
Disorderly conduct/mischievous conduct/disturbance
Sept. 27
• Donald Hoffman, 54, of Brookfield, was arrested near North and Clinton at around 9:14 p.m. An officer responded to the above location to the report of an allegedly intoxicated subject. Police said Hoffman was located and was unable to care for himself. He was charged with disorderly conduct/public intoxication and taken to a local hospital.
• Joseph O’Brien, 22, of Elmhurst, was arrested in the 100 block of S. York at around 2:08 a.m. While monitoring a local pub at closing, police said O’Brien was found to be highly intoxicated and uncooperative with officers. He was charged with disorderly conduct/public intoxication.
Domestic issue
Sept. 24
A complainant in the 500 block of W. Comstock told police that she and the suspect, who was not identified, had a verbal argument earlier in the day, and she had petitioned the court for an order of protection. The complainant requested an officer to stand by so she could collect some of her belongings. An officer did a LEADS search and confirmed the order of protection, completed an order of protection short form and served it to the suspect.
DUI/DUI-drugs/illegal consumption/possession of alcohol
Sept. 25
Eric Taylor, 24, of Downers Grove, was arrested near Roosevelt and Commonwealth at around 4:15 a.m. Subsequent to a crash investigation, police said Taylor was found to be DUI; he refused field tests and to submit to a breath sample. He was charged with aggravated DUI, driving while license suspended, expired registration, no insurance and improper lane usage.
Sept. 24
• Victor Hugo Figueroa-Martin, 33, of Chicago, was arrested near Lake and Walnut at around 5:05 p.m. Subsequent to a traffic stop, police said the suspect displayed signs of intoxication. According to police, Figueroa-Martin registered a blood alcohol content (BAC) at the police station and was charged with two counts of DUI and failure to signal.
• Mark Menolascino, 23, of Bensenville, was arrested near York and Fullerton at around 8:44 p.m. subsequent to a traffic stop, police said the suspect showed signs of intoxication, became argumentative and refused to exit the vehicle. He was charged with DUI, obstructing justice, improper lane usage and no rear plate light.
Harassment
Sept. 28
A victim in the 500 block of W. St. Charles told police that she received a phone call from two unidentified suspects and began arguing over her ex-boyfriend. During the argument, the suspects reportedly made verbal threats, stating that they would break windows and beat her up. (It is not known whether the windows to which they referred are to the victim’s vehicle or the victim’s residence.) An officer made contact with the suspects who agreed to have no further contact with the victim.
Obstruction
Sept. 28
Esteban Enriquez, 34, of Villa Park; Kevin Kunnasseril, 25, of Downers Grove; and Jessee Loucks, 21, of Lombard, were arrested in the 600 block of W. North at around 9 a.m. Police said an officer observed two of the suspects making a hand-to-hand transaction in the parking lot. According to police, Loucks fled the scene and ran into a local business. All three suspects were transported to the Police Department. Loucks was charged with obstructing a police officer, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cannabis. Enriquez was charged with obstructing a police officer, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. Kunnasseril was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of cannabis.
Possession of cannabis/drug paraphernalia/controlled substance/tobacco
Sept. 30
Michael C. Witkus, 39, of Wood Dale, was arrested near South and York at around 5:14 p.m. Subsequent to an accident, police said Witkus was found to be in possession of cannabis. He was charged with possession of cannabis, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and no insurance.
Sept. 29
• Nicholas Soto, 25, of Melrose Park, was arrested in the 100 block of Schiller at around 11:53 p.m. Police said an officer smelled the odor of cannabis while inside the Police Department garage which was coming from the vents in the ceiling. On the next level, officers located Soto, who admitted to smoking cannabis inside his vehicle. After police found cannabis and a pipe, he was charged with possession of cannabis and of drug paraphernalia.
• Jeffrey A. Ziegler, 32, of Bonita Springs, Fla., was arrested in the 600 block of No. York Road at around 9:31 p.m. Subsequent to a traffic stop, police said Ziegler was found to have two valid failure-to-appear warrants and driving while license suspended. According to police, while an officer conducted an inventory of Ziegler’s vehicle, a micro baggie containing a white crystal-like powder substance was located, believed to be suspect cocaine. Ziegler was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, driving while license revoked, speeding, unauthorized use of a cell phone and no insurance.
Sept. 25
• Philip A. Barrigher, 26, of Bellwood, was arrested in the 900 block of N. York at around 10:23 a.m. While on patrol, an officer made contact with Barrigher and noticed a smell of burnt cannabis. According to police, Barrigher admitted to smoking cannabis and handed the officer two small plastic bags containing approximately 1 gram of cannabis. He was charged with possession of cannabis.
• Charles Bry, 22, and Jonathan Henslee, 21, both of Lombard, were arrested near Route 83 and St. Charles Road at around 9:33 p.m. Subsequent to a traffic stop, police said an officer located a cannabis smoking pipe and a cannabis rolled cigarette. Bry was charged with possession of cannabis; Henslee, with possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Jared Chaimukda, 21, of Chicago, was arrested near Route 83 and North at around 10:16 p.m. Subsequent to a traffic stop, police said the suspect was found to be in possession of cannabis. Chaimukda was charged with drag racing, possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia and speeding.
• Alexis Flores, 30, of Chicago, was arrested near North and Illinois at around 10:32 a.m. Subsequent to a traffic stop, police said Flores was found to be in possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia as well having no valid driver’s license. She was charged with possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, no valid driver’s license and an obstructed windshield.
Prostitution
Sept. 24
Melanie Fieldes, 21, of Bensenville, was arrested in the 600 block of W. Lake at around 11:10 p.m. Police said that during an investigation for an online advertisement for prostitution, contact was made with the suspect who agreed to perform a sexual act in exchange for money. An officer met with the suspect; police said she was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia and a plastic baggie containing a white, powdery substance which tested positive for cocaine. Fields was charged with prostitution, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Reckless conduct
Sept. 26
A victim in the 100 block of W. First was accidentally struck in the head with a T-shaped pipe as she was standing on the top floor of the Larch Parking Deck. Police said the victim and her friends were watching as the suspect attempted to throw the pipe from the ground up to the top floor when she was struck. The victim’s mother stated she would take her to the hospital. The suspect, a juvenile, was taken into custody for reckless conduct and released to a parent.
Suspicious circumstances
Sept. 29
A victim told police he was walking home alone near Adelia and Kenmore when he noticed a white van with rust and tinted windows was driving slowly behind him. The victim was at the northwest corner of Adelia and Chandler when the van drove past him, made a U-turn and slowed. The driver then waved at the victim. The victim ran into a back yard and called 911. The driver was described as being an Hispanic male with a moustache, wearing a blue T-shirt with white stripes on the shoulders.
Sept. 28
A complainant in the 200 block of E. Van Buren told police that at around 5 p.m., her 10-year-old daughter was playing in the front yard, waiting for her ride to swimming practice. The complainant said she observed a vehicle described as a “white work van” drive eastbound on Van Buren at a slow speed. The driver, described as an Hispanic male, with a thin, small build, black, straight hair and a black moustache, looked attentively at her daughter as he drove past. Once the driver saw the complainant, he left and has not been seen again.
Theft/identity theft/fraud/forgery/deceptive practice/obstruction/robbery
Aug. 21-Sept. 30
A complainant at a car rental company in the 800 block of N. York Road told police that a suspect rented a vehicle on Aug. 14 and was supposed to return it on Aug. 21. The complainant left several voice mail messages. The suspect called and told the office he would return the car the next day. However, the suspect did not show up. On Sept. 17, the corporate office started repo procedures; however, the vehicle has not been located. The car rental company said it wants the vehicle returned but doesn’t want to pursue charges. The rental charges stood at $1,280.10.
Sept. 29
A victim at a high school told police she had her iPhone 5 while attending a class at 3 p.m. She then went to into a fieldhouse locker room and secured the bag in her locker. After practice, at around 5 p.m., she noticed the phone, valued at $779, was missing. The victim retraced her steps but did not locate the phone. She also tried to use the phone’s finder, but was unsuccessful.
Sept. 28
• Katelynn M. Smith, 21, of Chicago, was arrested at a local store in the 200 block of S. Route 83 at around 3:28 a.m. An officer responded to the store for the report of a suspect who reportedly attempted to purchase groceries with a counterfeit bill. Smith, the suspect, was located in the area and taken into custody. Police said it was learned that Smith also used counterfeit currency inside two other stores in Elmhurst. She was charged with two counts of forgery.
• A complainant in the 100 block of N. Evergreen told police that he received a call from a man claiming to be with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, attempting to serve a warrant on behalf of the IRS. The caller claimed that if the complainant didn’t pay $1,298, the complainant would be arrested and incarcerated.
Sept. 27-Sept. 28
A complainant in the 100 block of N. Michigan told police that an unknown suspect gained access to her deceased father’s checking account and made several unauthorized withdrawals totaling $405.52. The victim passed away on Sept. 27. Three unauthorized withdrawals were made from the account since that date. The complainant contacted the bank which agreed to refund the charges.
Sept. 27
• A victim in the 100 block of N. Evergreen told police that an unknown suspect used his debit card to make numerous purchases in Mexico. The bank has frozen the account at this time.
• A victim told police that an unknown suspect used her credit card to purchase $412 worth of merchandise from a store located in the 900 block of Rockland Road in Lake Bluff, IL.
Sept. 26
• Veronica Garcia-Lopez, 29, of Bensenville, was arrested at a store in the 200 block of S. Route 83 at around 5:53 p.m. Police said Garcia-Lopez was seen entering the fitting room and leaving while items totaling $220.91 were concealed in her purse. She was charged with retail theft.
• Jo Anne Knox, 66, of Darien, was arrested at a store in the 200 block of S. Route 83 at around 6:37 p.m. Officers responded to the above location for a complaint of a woman who was being detained in the security office. According to police, store security reports observing Knox placing numerous items of merchandise into her purse and then attempting to leave the store without paying for the concealed merchandise, valued at $39.45. She was charged with retail theft.
• Dominique Ramsey, 30, of Maywood, was arrested in the 500 block of W. Lake St. at around 6:56 p.m. Officers responded to the above location for a report of a verbal domestic dispute. They investigated the complaint, and police officers discovered the dispute was about a previous theft that occurred in Bellwood. According to police, officers learned that Ramsey was in possession of a stolen cell phone, which belonged to the victim. Ramsey was charged with theft (possession of stolen property), driving while license suspended and no insurance.
• A victim in the 600 block of W. North told police that she left her purse on a table unattended. Upon returning, the purse was gone. It contained her iPad Mini, an engagement ring, a cell phone, miscellaneous credit and debit cards, and keys.
• Officers responded to a burglar alarm at a liquor store in the 100 block of Fullerton at around 6:01 a.m. Upon arrival, police said the glass front door of the business had been shattered. An ET processed the scene and was provided security footage from the business owner showing an unknown suspect, described as a white male, clean shaven, approximately 25 years old, last seen wearing a grey and white horizontal striped sweatshirt with the hood pulled over, a blue baseball cap and blue jeans, throwing a chunk of concrete through the glass front door. Three cartons of cigarettes valued at approximately $200 were taken. The suspect was last seen running northeast through the parking lot. Approximate cost to repair the front door is $500.
• Identity theft was reported in the 700 block of Cedar at around 10 a.m. An officer responded to the above location, where a victim stated he received a call from a credit card service, referencing a card that was opened online in his name. The victim told the service that he did not open the account and the creditor subsequently cancelled the card. There was no monetary loss.
• Identity theft was reported in the 200 block of N. Addison at around 10 a.m. A victim told police that an unknown suspect used his debit card to purchase $1,507.64 worth of merchandise from a store in Rosemont.
Sept. 24
• The store manager of a local food store in the 900 block of S. York told police that two suspects had purchased items separately and paid for the merchandise with three similar counterfeit $100 bills and a counterfeit $50 bill. Security video of the transactions was recorded. The counterfeit bills were placed into evidence.
Sept. 23
• A victim told police that she and her friends went to a pub in the 100 block of N. York Road at around 9 p.m. While there, the victim played billiards, leaving her purse in the booth where she had been sitting. When the victim returned to the booth, her black wallet was missing from her purse. The wallet contained a gas gift card, a gift card from a restaurant, credit cards, $3 in cash and her Illinois driver’s license. All of the victim’s credit and debit cards were cancelled. An officer will check video footage.
• An employee at a pizza restaurant in the 100 block of W. Vallette told police that their delivery driver was paid with a counterfeit $100 bill. The driver describes the suspect as being a white male in his late 20s or 30s, 5-foot-9, 150 pounds, blond hair with a goatee and wearing a red shirt. The bill was for $36.81, and the suspect gave the driver the $100 bill. The driver made change and the suspect tipped him $10. An officer collected the delivery ticket and the counterfeit bill and put them in to evidence.
March 16-Sept. 23
Jeremy Cuebas, 22, of Chicago, was arrested in the 300 block of W. Lake St. A local company reported to police that an internal investigation showed that Cuebas allegedly had been making unauthorized charges on a company credit card for fuel purchases totaling $628.89. An officer spoke with Cuebas, who told police that he had used the card to fill his personal car with diesel fuel approximately 15 times, according to police. He was charged with theft.
Sept. 20
Two juveniles were brought into a local pharmacy in the 100 block of N. Palmer Drive at around noon by their mother to pay for items, which they had reportedly stolen on a previous date. The suspects’ mother advised that the suspects also stole from a local food store. Both stores did not wish to sign complaints, but did want no-trespass orders issued. The juveniles were referred to a peer jury.
Jan. 1-Sept. 18
A victim in the 500 block of W. Crockett told police she received a letter from her employer, informing her that her wages would be garnished. An unknown suspect has obtained $14,842 by using the victim’s Social Security number.
Sept. 16
An employee of a company in the 800 block of S. Route 83 informed police that he received two emails from the company president authorizing two different payments to an account. When the billing department spoke to the company president, the president denied sending any emails authorizing any payments.
Warrant service
Sept. 25
Marcus Carey, 25, of Villa Park, was arrested near St. Charles and Fair at around 3:52 p.m. Subsequent to a traffic stop, police said Carey, a passenger in the vehicle, was found to be wanted on an active warrant by the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office for possession of drug paraphernalia.
