Box of Switchblades and Daggers Given to Police: River Forest Police Blotter

SUNDAY, JAN. 6

Man Arrested for DUI—Over Three Times the Legal Limit

An officer on patrol reported seeing an eastbound truck in the 7500 block of North Avenue around 11:16 p.m. that was drifting between lanes and narrowly avoiding collisions with other vehicles. The officer stopped the car, and upon interviewing the driver, believed he might have been driving while intoxicated.

Police arrested and charged J. Cruz Tovar, 37, of the 2500 block of north Major Avenue in Chicago, with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage and operating a vehicle without insurance. Police said Tovar's blood alcohol content was measured at .260, which was more than three times the legal limit. Tovar was later released on bond.

SATURDAY, JAN. 5

Box of Knives Given to Police

A River Forest resident delivered a box of old knives, which included switchblades and daggers, in to the River Forest police. The contents of the box were collected after cleaning the home of a deceased relative. A total of 46 knives were collected and given to police, who said they would be destroyed.

FRIDAY, JAN. 4

Residential Burglary Reported

Police responded to a home at about 3:53 p.m. in the 1300 block of Jackson after a resident returned home to find pry marks on the back door of their home. Officers searched the home, but did not find anyone there. The victim later discovered that about $2,500 in jewelry was stolen. Detectives are still investigating.

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Retail Theft Reported

Officers responded to CVS Pharmacy, 7929 North Ave., at about 11:58 a.m., after the store's manager reported a retail theft had just occurred. The manager told police that a man entered the store, filled a basket with over the counter allergy medication and then fled into a waiting car.

Surveillance video was recorded and handed over to police to assist in their investigation. The car the offender used was later found to be a rental. Rental records led police to the renter's girlfriend who told police that she did not know the name of the man who was suspected of the theft. She additionally told police she stopped at CVS at the request of the offender and then attempted to prevent him from entering the car when he ran out with the merchandise. No arrest has yet been made, and police are continuing to investigate.

THURSDAY, JAN. 3

Resident Scares off Potential Burglars

A River Forest who was out at about 3:04 p.m. walking his dog in the 1400 block of Harlem reported seeing two men he did not know kneeling and apparently tampering with his neighbor's truck. The man challenged the two and they ran off on foot into Oak Park. Police were not able to locate the suspects. The owner of the truck later reported they were missing a wrench valued at $30.

Two 17-Year-Olds Cited for Curfew Violation

An officer on patrol reported spotting two individuals sitting in a car parked in the 800 block of William at about 3:33 a.m. The officer investigated and found that the two were both 17 years old and were out in violation of the village's curfew restrictions. Both were cited for violating curfew and will appear at an Administrative Adjudication Hearing in February. They were later turned over to their parents.

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TUESDAY, JAN. 1

Woman Steals Purses at DSW

Officers responded to DSW shoe store, 7321 Lake St., at about 10:39 a.m. to investigate a report of retail theft. Employees told police that they saw a woman in her 20s run out of the store with four Michael Kors purses worth an estimated $516. Detectives are continuing to investigate and believe the woman may have been involved with similar reports of retail theft in the past.

DUI Arrest Made—Driver at Twice the Legal Limit

An officer on patrol in the 500 block of Harlem Avenue reported spotting a southbound car that was speeding. The officer clocked the car as going 60 mph in a 30-mph zone. The officer stopped the car in the 7300 block of Madison Street in Forest Park and after interviewing the driver, believed he was intoxicated.

Police arrested and charged Andrzej Sertler, 30, of the 8700 block of Circle Drive in Brookfield, with driving under the influence of alcohol. Police gave Sertler a Breathalyzer, which reported a blood alcohol content of .182, which is more than twice the legal limit.

Sertler was also charged with driving without insurance, speeding and other traffic offenses. He was later released on bond.

Police Blotter information is provided by the River Forest Police Department. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor at matthew@patch.com. We will verify and report the outcome.