An employee of Fresh Express Cafe, 35 E. Burlington St. in Riverside was charged with theft after he allegedly plotted to steal money from the store cashbox during the night of June 23.
According to the police report, another of the store’s employees called police to report a possible burglary just after 7 a.m. on June 24. The employee said he arrived at work at 5:30 a.m. and about an hour later noticed that the cash drawer was missing. Police could find no sign of forced entry, and a third employee reported that a basement door that is usually kept locked was left unlocked.
Police later interviewed Chicago resident Courtney D. Watson, 23, who had worked at the store since March. Watson reportedly admitted that he was behind the theft, saying that he had unlocked the deadbolt on the door and left work on June 23 at 5:30 p.m. At about 10 p.m. that night, however, he returned, parked his car in back and entered through the open door, taking $140.
Felony revoked license
Aurora resident Carlo Betanez, 25, was charged with a felony count of driving on a revoked license following a traffic stop on Harlem Avenue near Blackhawk Road in Riverside just after 4:30 a.m. on June 25.
According to the police report, Betanez was pulled over for changing lanes three times without signaling while southbound on Harlem Avenue from East Quincy Street. During the stop, he allegedly provided police with a false date of birth, but police established his identity through fingerprints. A check revealed he was wanted on three warrants for previous traffic offenses in DuPage County, Burr Ridge and Will County. His license was also found to be revoked due to two prior DUI convictions.
In addition to aggravated driving while revoked, Betanez was cited for improper lane usage, no proof of insurance and obstructing a police officer.
Riverside police charged Berwyn resident Ronnie L. Lewellen, 35, with a felony count of driving on a revoked license after an officer pulled him over just after 5 a.m. on June 22 because his vehicle allegedly had just one working headlight. Police learned that Lewellen’s license had been revoked for two prior DUI arrests, and the Cook County State’s Attorney approved felony charges for this offense.
These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside and Brookfield police departments from June 22 through June 29 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anyone named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. The cases have not yet been adjudicated.
?”Compiled by Bob Uphues
