Local Crime Briefs: Teen Charged After Thefts, Kid-Toting Mom Charged with DUI

Church Break-In

An 18-year-old Oak Park resident with an extensive criminal record is being held without bond in Cook County Jail after stealing money from a home and church late last month, authorities said.

James Ussery stands accused of burglary and felony theft for two incidents on May 27, taking cash from a home in the 900 block of Wesley Avenue and stealing $750 from an office at , 931 Lake St.

He is scheduled to appear in court on June 27.

Here's how Ussery's arrest came about: River Forest police picked up James M. Ussery at the Metra train station around 5:15 a.m. on June 20 after someone contacted police about a suspicious person walking in the area of Lake Street and Forest Avenue.

Ussery first offered up a fake name, then told police he'd hidden a bicycle in the outside stairwell at . That bike was traced to , which received the bicycle as a donation.

Eventually, Ussery admitted his real name and River Forest police discovered he had a criminal history that included four convictions, three for burglary and one for traffic violations, River Forest Deputy Police Chief Craig Rutz said.

He was charged with obstructing identification and later turned over to police Oak Park. The investigation into the bike theft is continuing, officials said.

DUI Arrest

Kimberly Jones, 38, of Chicago, was charged with drunken driving after she became involved in a disturbance with other passengers in her car, police said.

Officers responded to the 900 block of Monroe Avenue after citizens reported a loud confrontation in the street. Police then separated Jones from the other adult passengers in the vehicle, a 1997 Jeep Cherokee.

Jones' two children, 7 and 9 years old, were in the vehicle during the argument, according to a police report. Police said Jones appeared to be intoxicated and open liquor was spotted in the car. She failed field sobriety tests and refused to take a breathalyzer, police said.

She also was charged with endangering the life or health of a child, failure to secure children in a child safety restraint system, driving on an expired license, driving without insurance and illegal transport of liquor.