Brookfield police reported five more garage burglaries last week, with offenders targeting bicycles, work tools and for the second straight week, golf clubs. All of the incidents happened on the north end of town, four of them close to 31st Street.
A resident of the 3200 block of Grand Boulevard reported that during the overnight hours of Sept. 4 and 5, someone entered the garage through an unlocked sliding glass door and removed a cordless multi-tool, 12-volt drill, reciprocating saw and hack saw from a work bench.
Meanwhile, two garages in the 3100 block of Prairie Avenue were targeted by burglars between Sept. 3 and Sept. 7. Numerous hand tools and other valuables were taken from one garage, which was locked. The offender gained entry by removing five glass louvers from a window. The louvers were found next to the garage in some weeds.
The second garage was unlocked. Offenders took two bicycles, one valued at $200 and one – a Specialized Roubaix road bike -valued at $2,000.
During the overnight hours of Sept. 5 and 6, someone entered the unlocked garage of a home in the 3700 block of Morton Avenue and removed a set of Cleveland golf clubs, golf bag and pair of golf shoes.
A mountain bike, a power saw, electric drill and several hand tools were stolen from the garage of a home in the 3100 block of Maple Avenue during the overnight hours of Sept. 7 and 8. The door to the garage may have been unlocked, according to the report. The value of the missing items was estimated at $700.
In addition to the garage burglaries, three more vehicles were burglarized or broken into last week.
The owner of a 2001 Kia Rio, parked behind a home in the 3900 block of Grove Avenue, said that someone entered the unlocked vehicle between 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Sept. 5. The passenger side door and glove box were open, though nothing of value was reported missing.
A resident of the 3200 block of Arthur Avenue told police he was out walking his dog at 5:15 a.m. on Sept. 10 when he saw a man trying to break into his unlocked work vehicle, which was parked in the driveway. The resident chased the man, but was unable to catch him. The offender was described as a male, 6 feet tall with a thin build and carrying a bag. He also walked with a limp.
A second car parked in the driveway had its interior dome light on. The man told police that the light goes on when the door handle is lifted. Nothing appeared to be missing from that vehicle, but the center console arm rest was open.
Finally, Brookfield police reported that a black BMX-style Diamondback Joker bicycle was stolen from a bike rack on Lincoln Avenue outside of S.E. Gross Middle School, 3425 Maple Ave. some time during the school day on Sept. 7.
Elbowed ‘for no reason’
A 22-year-old Cicero man told North Riverside police that he was sitting at the bus stop on Harlem Avenue south of Cermak Road when an unknown man sitting next to him got up and elbowed him in the face for no apparent reason.
The offender then walked away in a southwest direction through the shopping center parking lot. The victim was treated for a bloody nose at the scene by paramedics.
DUI
Riverside police charged Chicago resident Marlin T. Long Soldier, 32, with driving under the influence after an officer reported him driving a 1999 Pontiac van 62 mph in a 40 mph zone while northbound on First Avenue at Waubansee Road on Sept. 3 at 7:15 p.m.
According to the report, Long Soldier told police he had been drinking with friends in the forest preserves. Police found a cooler with 11 beers behind the driver’s seat and an open can of beer in the center console.
In addition to DUI, Long Soldier was cited for illegal transportation of open alcohol and speeding.
North Riverside police charged 27-year-old Sandra Vallejo, of Chicago, with DUI after an officer reported her driving a Toyota Sienna van 55 mph in a 35 mph zone while southbound in the 1900 block of Harlem Avenue at 6 a.m. on Sept. 12.
Police also reported finding an open bottle of beer in a cup holder and an open 12-pack behind the front passenger seat. Vallejo’s blood-alcohol level was reportedly .187, which is more than twice the legal limit of .08.
These items were obtained from police reports filed by the Riverside, North Riverside and Brookfield police departments from Sept. 3 to Sept. 12 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