Fake Charitable Solicitor Charged, Power Washer Stolen: River Forest Police Blotter

SUNDAY, SEPT. 16

Two Burglaries Reported in Same Block

A River Forest resident in the 700 block of Bonnie Brae reported to police at 3:03 p.m. that between 11 p.m. Sept. 15 and 7:30 a.m. Sept. 16 someone entered her unlocked Lexus while it was parked in the driveway and stole coins, gloves and an iPod. The victim also reported someone had entered her unlocked garage and stole a Specialized Rock Hopper bike worth $880 and bike computer worth $40.

At 3:27 p.m. another resident in the same block reported that someone entered her unlocked Ford vehicle while it was parked in the driveway and stole coins and a Garmin GPS device. The value was unknown.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 14

Retail Theft

Police responded to Whole Foods, 7245 Lake Street, after security there apprehended a man who attempted to steal a 12-pack of Heineken beer, police said. Martin J. Wallace, 52, of the 500 block of Lodge in Lombard, was taken into custody and charged with retail theft at 6:18 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 13

Fake Charity Solicitor Arrested

Police responded to the 700 block of Franklin Avenue at 5:26 p.m. after someone reported a suspicious solicitor. James Myers, 18, of the 6800 block of south Dorchester in Chicago, was charged false impersonation and unlawful solicitation without a permit. Myers was arrested and cited on March 18 for the same arrest, police said. Police seized $78 and soliciting materials. He was released and ordered to appear in court on Oct. 19.

Domestic Dispute

Police were called at 10 a.m. to a home in the 300 block of Ashland Avenue after a resident reported that her boyfriend had battered her. The victim told police her boyfriend had struck her in the face and then left on foot. Police eventually found the man in the basement of the home. Police said based on the conflicting stories of both parties, the truth was unable to be determined. The two were separated and the caller was given information about domestic abuse and how to get help.

Help With Child Safety Seat

Police helped a resident who came into the station install a child safety seat at 9:20 a.m. and taught the resident how to install it in the future.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 12

Power Washer Returned, Suspect Not Found

Officers responded to the 8200 block of Lake Street at 11:23 p.m. after someone reported seeing a man jumping over a back yard fence with an unidentified object on the 500 block of River Oaks. Officers located the man at Lake and Des Plaines in Maywood and attempted to stop him. The suspect dropped what he was holding and fled.

He was last seen headed west from second street to Ohio Street, but a search of the area was unsuccessful in locating him. Police recovered a Royal Dirt devil Flex 1600 power washer that was abandoned when the man fled. Police located the location of the theft and returned the item to its owner.

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.