Brookfield police reported last week that some time between Aug. 7 and Aug. 9 someone removed a 5-foot high aluminum cross from the façade of St. Barbara Church, 4008 Prairie Ave.

Police were notified of the missing cross by the parish’s maintenance chief, who had just returned to work after a couple of weeks on vacation. He told police that the cross was there on Aug. 7 and that several parishioners and a parish priest reported that it was missing on Sunday, Aug. 9.

The police report was not immediately made, according to the police report, in order for the parish to see if it could be found. The cross is brown in color and was affixed to the front of the church next to the “Saint Barbara Church” sign.

Burglary

A resident of the 8900 block of Burlington Avenue, Brookfield, reported to police that on Aug. 15 between 4:45 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., someone entered his apartment and stole cash and video game equipment.

Police reported that the apartment door had been pried open and that the door frame was damaged. The outside entry door to the building had been left unlocked for a couple of weeks prior to the burglary, the victim told police.

Among the items taken from the living room were a Playstation 3 video console, game controller and a handful of video games. Taken from a bedroom was $300 in cash from an envelope.

A resident of the 9500 block of Congress Park Avenue in Brookfield reported to police last week that several pieces of jewelry, including a diamond engagement ring, a gold butterfly necklace and a gold/diamond/sapphire ring, were missing from her home. The victim told police that the items may have been taken while she was not at home between Aug. 7 and Aug. 9.

The total loss was valued at $5,800.

Battery

North Riverside police charged 17-year-old Camaudy D. Stone, of Broadview, with battery after he allegedly slapped the face of a 55-year-old Maywood man who was riding a bike in the 2300 block of 17th Avenue last week.

According to the police report, the victim was headed southbound when three teens on bikes approached from behind. One of the teens, later identified as Stone, slapped him in the face as Stone raced past.

When Stone turned around and looked as if he were coming back for more, the victim fled north to a convenience store on Cermak Road, where he called police.

Broadview police detained the three suspects, and the victim identified Stone as the attacker, according to police.

Pocket picked

A 77-year-old North Riverside woman reported to police that on Aug. 11 just before 4 p.m., while she was shopping at Goodwill, 1900 Harlem Ave., a woman brushed against her. When the victim went to pay for her purchases at the register, her wallet was missing from her shoulder bag.

DUI

Riverside police charged Christopher N. Joyce, 24, of far southwest suburban Somonauk, with DUI after he allegedly sideswiped another vehicle while trying to pass on the right while southbound on Harlem Avenue at Burlington Street just before 1 a.m. on Aug. 14. No one was injured in the crash.

Police said that Joyce’s blood-alcohol level was .193, which is over twice the legal limit of .08. He was also cited for having no proof of insurance, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper overtaking on the right.

Brookfield resident Albert J. Wysopal, 49, faces felony DUI charges after being arrested by Brookfield police on Aug. 16.

Police were called to the 4000 block of Elm Avenue just before 6 a.m. by a resident who told police that Wysopal and his friends were not welcome at their house and were causing a disturbance.

When an officer arrived, he reportedly observed Wysopal driving away from the home in a 1995 Chevy Lumina. Wysopal allegedly drove through at least one stop sign before being stooped in the 4300 block of Maple Avenue.

Police reported Wysopal’s blood-alcohol level to be .168, which is twice the legal limit. The DUI was raised to felony status since Wysopal’s driver’s license was suspended and the vehicle was uninsured.

He was also charged with assault related to the disturbance at the Elm Avenue home.

Tires punctured

Someone punctured the tires of three vehicles parked in the 3500 block of Raymond Avenue, Brookfield, during the overnight hours of Aug. 14-15. Police believe the offender may have used a screwdriver.

These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments from Aug. 10 to Aug. 16 and represent a portion of the incidents to which police responded. Unless otherwise indicated, anybody named in these reports has only been charged with a crime. These cases have not been adjudicated.

– Compiled by Bob Uphues