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.
Assault
March 2
Dominic A. Ramundo, 39, of Elmhurst, was charged with assault at a pharmacy in the 100 block of W. North Ave. at around 12:41 p.m. Police said a victim and Ramundo were involved in a driving situation, where Ramundo followed the victim into the pharmacy’s parking lot and came after the victim, trying to hit him with a hammer.
Battery
March 3
Michal Slusarz, 34, of Bensenville, was issued a citation for battery near Grand and Oak Lawn at around 9:39 p.m. Police said Slusarz had reportedly pulled his vehicle in front of the victim near the above intersection. Slusarz then exited his vehicle, approached victim’s car, punched victim in the face and drove off, according to police. Both subjects met again further down the road where they began to fight, police said.
Criminal damage or defacement to property/criminal damage to a vehicle/criminal trespass to property/criminal trespass to a vehicle/damage to city property/damage to property
March 7-March 8
A vehicle owner in the 200 block of S. West Ave. advised that the side of his vehicle was scratched sometime between the above dates. The victim believes this happened while the vehicle was parked in the lot overnight. Approximate damage is valued at $1,500.
Feb. 23
A complainant in the 100 block of S. Prospect told police at around 8:34 p.m. that an unknown suspect had broken off a wooden post and American flag mounted on the rear bed of his truck. The flag was taken and damage was noticed on the sides of the truck.
Disorderly conduct, trespass notice
March 4
• Keshon L. Benford, 21, of St. Louis; Jackson A. Lindquist, 19, of Eau Claire, Wis.; and Anthony V. Moser, 21, of Racine, Wis., were each issued citations for disorderly conduct/befouling property in the 700 block of S. Hawthorne at around 11:38 a.m. Police said Benford, Lindquist and Moser were urinating on a garage in the above location.
• Jonathan Gunst, 23, of Elmhurst, was issued a citation for disorderly conduct/public intoxication, in the 500 block of S. Spring Road at around 6:43 p.m. Police said that while on patrol, an officer observed Gunst urinating and then saw him walk into a window of a business. According to police, Gunst was highly intoxicated.
• Tyler Schwartz, 21, of Elmhurst, was issued a citation for disorderly conduct/public intoxication near Spring and the Prairie Path at around 1:47 p.m. Police said that while on foot patrol during the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Schwartz was found to be highly intoxicated.
March 2
Security at a hospital in the 100 block of E. Brush Hill reported to police at around 11:07 a.m. that a suspect had come into the emergency room to complain about treatment that a family member had received. The suspect allegedly threw a
stack of papers at a nurse. The suspect reportedly had previously made a telephone threat to come to the hospital with a baseball bat. Hospital staff did not want to pursue the matter but requested that the suspect not return to the hospital. An officer contacted the suspect and relayed the request.
Domestic incident, domestic battery
March 5
A 39-year-old Bensenville man was charged with domestic battery, criminal damage to property, reckless conduct and reckless driving near North and Route 83 at around 9:25 a.m. A victim told police after dropping off her children at her husband’s home she was traveling northbound on Route 83 when she noticed her husband’s vehicle following her. The victim then pulled into a lot in the 600 block of W. North Ave, and the suspect pulled up alongside her and reportedly began arguing with her. She attempted to drive away, but observed the suspect behind her again. She pulled into a parking spot, and the suspect allegedly sped up and struck the rear end of victim’s vehicle, causing significant damage. The victim left the area and called 911. The suspect fled the scene, but was located in Lombard.
DUI, DUI-drugs, illegal consumption or possession of alcohol by a minor, illegal transportation of open alcohol, illegal possession of open alcohol, possession of a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance
March 6
• Neil Duncan, 47, of Orland Park, was charged with DUI in the parking lot of a hotel in the 900 block of Riverside Drive at around 2:26 p.m. Police said that subsequent to a call of a vehicle driving in circles on a flat tire and rim in the parking lot, Duncan was found to be DUI. According to police, also on the above date at around 10:13 p.m., Duncan was charged with violation of a bail bond and criminal damage to property. Police said officers responded to a report that Duncan had caused damage to his hotel room. He had previously been released on bond from the DUI arrest earlier in the day, according to police.
• Maryann Harnica, 54, of Elmhurst, was charged with DUI and endangering the life of a child in the in the 500 block of S. Saylor at around 3:15 p.m. Police said that subsequent to a call for a check on well-being, Harnica was observed pulling into her driveway and striking the bushes on the east side of the driveway. Harnica was found to be DUI and had her 9-year-old son in the vehicle with her, according to police.
March 5
• Thaddeus Brooks, 55, of Westchester, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance and DUI-drugs in the 400 block of Hampshire at around 4:13 a.m. Police said that subsequent to an investigation of a suspicious vehicle parked with its engine running, Brooks was found in the driver’s seat and displayed signs of narcotics use. Suspected heroin was located in the vehicle, according to police.
• Malgorzata Markowska, 29, of Chicago, was charged with DUI and speeding subsequent to a traffic stop near Route 83 and I-290 at around 4:44 p.m.
• Richard Velazquez, 20, of Chicago, was charged with DUI-drugs, possession of cannabis, driving while license suspended and improper lane usage subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Michigan at around 11:45 p.m.
March 4
• Robert Shehan, 18 ; Rachel Valdiselli, 18; Sean Murphy, 18; Zachery Murphy, 18; Thomas Hartley, 18; Madison Grotto, 18; Madalya Schiller, 18; Mia Varzino, 18; Julianna Sonenberg, 18; Mia Nicosia, 18; Rayanne Shoeley, 18; Claire Frolik, 18; Anthony Gambino, 18; Nicholas Trapani, 18; Eric Gibas, 18; and Nicole Burr, 18; all of Elmhurst, were issued citations for consumption of alcohol by a minor in the 400 block of Verrett at around 1:50 p.m. Police said that subsequent to a call for an underage drinking party, each of the listed suspects were found to be drinking and under 21. Twelve (12) additional suspects were juveniles.
• Cody Hauser, 20, of Hoffman Estates, was charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor and minor on a licensed premises at a pub in the 100 block of N. York at around 8:37 p.m. Police said that subsequent to a call of a disturbance at the above location, Hauser was found to be under the legal age to consume alcohol.
A complainant in the 200 block of Arlington Avenue told police at around 12:45 a.m. that her juvenile son left the house and was last seen walking towards the train tracks. Officers checked the area and located juvenile using his phone’s GPS location. The juvenile reportedly took off running from one of the responding officers. Juvenile was later located and cited for possession of drug paraphernalia, consumption of alcohol by a minor and a curfew violation. The juvenile was released to his mother.
March 3
• Sean Lejeune, 25, of Sandwich, Ill., was charged with DUI, driving while license suspended and improper lane usage subsequent to a traffic stop near First and York at around 12:05 a.m.
• Lisa Lofendo, 48, of Elmhurst, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, DUI-drugs, endangering the life of a child, possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, no valid driver’s license, improper lane usage and disobeying a stop sign subsequent to a traffic stop near Walnut and Second at around 8:29 p.m. Police said Lofendo was found to be driving under the influence of drugs.
Harassment, threats
March 5
A victim in the 100 block of E. Brush Hill told police at around 10:35 p.m. that her boyfriend had contacted her, threatening to harm her. The victim does not believe that suspect would act on the threat, nor is she afraid of him.
March 2
A victim in the 600 block of Lorraine Avenue told police at around 4:11 p.m. that they and a suspect met on a dating website. Both parties have exchanged text messages and phone calls; they have never met in person. The victim states she wants the suspect to leave her alone, and the suspect states that the victim was threatening him. The suspect will stop contacting victim and delete her phone number.
Possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance
March 8
Daniel Villarreal, 27, of Mundelein, was issued a citation for possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, no insurance and having one headlight subsequent to a traffic stop near York and I-290 at around 11:42 p.m. Police said Villarreal was found to be in possession of cannabis and a cannabis smoking pipe.
March 7
Leonard L. Branson, 23, of Hillside, was issued a citation for possession of cannabis and given a warning for expired registration subsequent to a traffic stop near North and West at around 4:37 p.m. Police said a reporting officer approached Branson’s vehicle and smelled an odor of cannabis emitting from the vehicle. The officer found a green leafy substance (suspected cannabis) inside Branson’s wallet, according to police.
March 6
Saul N. Ayala Chapa, 27, of Melrose Park, was issued a citation for possession of cannabis and disobeying a traffic control device subsequent to a traffic stop near Lake and Grand at around 5:56 a.m.
March 5
• Lisa Moriarity, 25, of Lisle, was issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia in the 100 block of Adelaide Street at around 2:38 a.m. Police said that subsequent to a suspicious auto, upon making contact, a reporting officer smelled a strong odor of burnt cannabis coming from inside the vehicle.
• Jacquelyn Preciado, 25, of Chicago, was charged with possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license suspended and speeding subsequent to a traffic stop near Route 83 and Lake at around 8:14 a.m. Police said a search of Preciado revealed cannabis and drug paraphernalia.
March 4
Margarita Pastrana, 22, of Villa Park, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license suspended, speeding and no insurance following a traffic stop near St. Charles and Fair at around 12:28 a.m.
March 2
A dean at a high school in the 300 block of W. St. Charles Road was notified of a student who may be under the influence of an unknown substance. The dean located the student and searched his bag. A silver, metal grinder with green leafy powder which smelled of cannabis was located. The grinder was turned over to a school liaison, who will charge the juvenile with possession of drug paraphernalia.
Suspicious circumstances
March 3
• A victim in at a bank in the 500 block of W St. Charles Road told police at around 1:23 p.m. that she went to her bank branch in Elmhurst to cash a check. She indicated that she doesn’t remember if she took the money from the teller or not. An officer spoke with the teller who related that she placed the money in a bank envelope and handed it to the victim. The teller noted that the victim had a lot of papers, and when she took the money, she placed it with the papers. A subpoena will be submitted to obtain the video footage from the bank.
• A complainant in the 300 block of S. Kenmore told police at around 6:12 p.m. that she received a package in her mailbox that contained hypodermic syringes, replacement needles and alcohol wipes. The victim does not know why she received the package nor did she recognize the name on the package.
Theft/burglary/attempted theft or burglary/identity theft/fraud/forgery/deceptive practice/obstruction/robbery
March 8
A victim in the 800 block of N. Indiana St. told police at around 5:17 p.m. that her vehicle was stolen from her driveway sometime today between 9:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. It was learned that the Harwood Heights Police Department observed someone in the vehicle stealing items in Chicago and the driver matched the SOS image of the victim’s brother. The victim was contacted and stated she did not want to pursue charges against the suspect. She later stated she wanted to sign complaints as she believed her brother was in Wisconsin and did not steal the vehicle. The vehicle was entered into LEADS as stolen.
March 7
Salomonreyfa J. Sabiduriaypode, 34, of Berkeley, was charged with forgery, no driver’s license and no insurance subsequent to a traffic stop near St. Charles and I-290 at around 8:48 a.m. Police said the suspect was found to be driving on a cancelled driver’s license and was arrested for no driver’s license. While at the Police Department, police said the suspect was found to be in possession of numerous driver’s licenses, identification cards and passports. The suspect signed documents at the Elmhurst Police Department with fraudulent names, according to police.
March 6
An agent from a bank in the 100 block of E. First advised an officer at around 11:43 a.m. that a counterfeit $10 bill was found among a cash deposit which had been deposited by the Elmhurst Police Department. The officer inspected the bill and found no watermark. A counterfeit detection pen also flagged the bill as counterfeit. The bank forwarded the bill to the Department of Treasury. The officer contacted a suspect who stated she was unaware the money which she posted for bond was counterfeit and she will come into the Police Department to settle the matter.
March 2-March 6
Police said an unknown suspect broke one of the fire extinguisher boxes in the Addison Parking Deck in the 100 block of N. Addison between the above dates and removed the fire extinguisher. After a check of the entire parking deck, the outside of the parking deck also was found to have been egged.
March 4
Geraldine Campbell, 59, of Bolingbrook, was charged with obstructing identification, driving while license revoked, no valid registration and no insurance subsequent to a traffic stop near St. Charles and York at around 12:36 a.m. Police said it was found that Campbell tried to obstruct identification by giving her maiden name. Further investigation revealed she was wanted for two warrants from the DuPage County Sheriff.
March 3
• John Broderick, 26, of Villa Park, was charged with retail theft, and Harrison Sharp, 25, of Winfield, was charged with retail theft and possession of cannabis at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83 at around 5:28 p.m. Police said that subsequent to a retail theft in progress, Sharp was found to have taken a pair of socks and left the store without paying, and also was found to be in possession of cannabis. Broderick was found to have taken a black wallet and left the store without paying, according to police.
• Police said agents for each of the three victims’ businesses told police at around 9:08 a.m. that a suspect entered each of their stores and removed give cards from the display on the counter. The suspect was reportedly located at a restaurant in the 100 block of E. Butterfield; several gift cards from the victims’ businesses were recovered from the suspect. None of the gift cards have any dollar value until activated and neither of the victims wished to sign complaints.
• Police said that subsequent to a retail theft in progress at a store in the 300 block of S. Route 83, a suspect described as an Hispanic male, around 30 years old, 6’1” and 200 pounds wearing a gray ski cap, a gray zip-up jacket and a gray shirt underneath, removed two Bluetooth speakers and two spider wrap security sensors and left without paying. The suspect was last seen in a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee heading eastbound on I-290 at a high rate of speed.
• A victim in the 300 block of N. Larch told police at around 3:37 p.m. that she was informed by the general manager of a car dealership in Chicago that a female purchased two vehicles using her name and Social Security number. The investigation revealed that the vehicles were recovered and an arrest was made in Chicago. Further investigation is pending.
• The complainant, a manager at a dairy shop in the 1000 block of S. York, told police at around 4:41 p.m. that a suspect described as a black male around 30 years old, 5-9 and 200 pounds, wearing a thick, black hoodie and jeans, attempted to purchase 10 $50 gift cards and a small strawberry shake with a My Vanilla credit card that was declined. The suspect then stated “something must be up with his bank” and left the store. The area was checked for the suspect with no results.
• A victim in the 200 block of S. Route 83 told police at around 6:42 p.m. than an unknown suspect(s) had removed her wallet from her purse and attempted to use her credits cards at a store in Villa Park. The victim stated that the wallet could have been taken at either a food store or a recreation center. The wallet contained her Illinois driver’s license, identification cards, credit cards and an unknown amount of currency.
• A complainant, the victim’s mother, told police that while at a gymnastics practice at a recreation center in the 600 block of N. West at around 2 p.m., her daughter placed her belongings in a locker located in the hallway outside the gymnastics area. The locker was closed but not locked. When the victim returned, a pair of boots were missing. An investigation is pending review of video surveillance.
March 2
A victim in the 300 block of S. Chandler told police at around 1:34 p.m. that at approximately 12:30 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) entered her unlocked vehicle and removed a wallet from it.
March 1
The loss prevention manager of a food store in the 600 block of N. York told police at around 11:39 a.m. that he received a phone call on the above date from the store manager stating a suspect described as an Hispanic male stole alcohol. The complainant checked the security footage and observed the suspect wearing a black coat, black baseball hat, black shirt, blue jeans and white gym shoes. The suspect reportedly filled up a cart with vodka, covered them with his coat and exited the store without paying for them.
Feb. 28
Identity theft was reported in the 500 block of Kearsage at around 12:03 p.m. A victim told police that an unknown suspect used her bank credit card account to make three phone/computer transactions. Two transactions were successful and a third transaction was declined. The victim has the physical card in her possession and has since canceled the account.
Feb. 25
A victim in the 500 block of S. Cedar Ave. told police at around 6:02 p.m. that she was contacted by Chase asking her if she had made a purchase at Dunkin’ Donuts. The victim checked her Chase credit card account and it showed 170 purchases made at Dunkin’ Donuts on the above date. The victim learned from the Dunkin’ Donuts’ fraud department that the purchases were made from a phone app, using her credit card number. The victim’s Chase account was frozen and she was advised to check her credit score and other credit cards for unusual activity.
Nov. 2, 2016
A victim in the 100 block of Fellows told police that an unknown suspect used his Discover Card for a cash advance in Chicago on the above date. At that time, Discover flagged the cash advance as fraudulent and replaced the money. On March 2, Discover charged him for the cash advance again, since the victim did not return their phone calls, letters, or sign the affidavit they had sent him. Discover now informed the victim he would need a police report and a signed affidavit to continue their investigation.
Oct. 6, 2016
Police said a reporting investigator assisted the Simpsonville, S.C. Police Department in reference to an unlawful use of a credit card case they are investigating. The victim’s credit card was used at a tire shop in the 500 block of W. North Ave. The business has since moved and all old paperwork regarding the credit card transaction has been destroyed.
Trespassing
March 7
Ralph Robertson, 52, of Wheaton, was charged with trespassing at the Elmhurst Public Library at around 5:24 p.m. Police said officers responded to the library, where Robertson was at the library and had been given a no-trespass order in the past.
Warrant service
March 8
Police said Joseph E. Riel, 39, of Sandwich, Ill., came into the Police Department at around 1:43 p.m. to turn himself in on a warrant, which was confirmed to be out of DeKalb County.
