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Crime & Safety

Oak Park Police Blotter: Victim Gives Chase, Detains Burglar for Police

The following information was supplied by the Oak Park Police Department. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Theft: Approximately 24 inches of drainage metal were removed sometime between Nov. 10 and Nov. 11 from the rear of a home in the 900 block of South Euclid Avenue. Estimated loss was $200.

Warrant Arrest: Matthew J. Parker, 26, of Morris, was arrested Nov. 11 on an outstanding warrant out of Oak Brook for felony forgery, police said. Parker was a passenger in an automobile that was stopped in the 1100 block of Garfield Avenue for a minor traffic violation.

Burglary to Auto Arrest: A 49-year-old from Oak Park was charged Nov. 11 with burglary to auto after the car's owner held him until officers arrived, police said. Police said the owner of a 2000 Honda Odyssey heard a disturbance and saw Jimmie Grayer inside his car, which was parked in the rear of the 300 block of South Oak Park Avenue. The owner, in an attempt to detain him, fought with Grayer, who ran away. But the owner gave chase, tackled him to the ground and held him for police, who arrested Grayer in the 800 block of Randolph Street, police said.

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Theft: Two unlocked bicycles were stolen Nov. 11 from the backyard of a home in the 1000 block of North Marion Street. Estimated loss was $760.

Residential Burglary: A 40-inch television set, a laptop and a wireless Apple device were stolen Nov. 11 from a residence in the 400 block of North Austin Boulevard. Entry was gained by use of a key. Estimated loss was $3,100. The owner told police the deadbolt had been locked before leaving home.

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Theft from Person: A remorseful thief returned $10 that he taken from a juvenile who was walking in the 200 block of Lake Street around 6:45 p.m. Nov. 12. The victim told police that a man approached him and asked if he had any change. The victim showed him the $10-bill and told him that was all the money he had. The offender, described as a male between 35 and 40 years old wearing a black jacket and black jeans, grabbed the money and began to walk away when the victim began yelling for police. The offender returned the money and ran north across Lake Street then west entering , 208 W. Lake St.

Theft: A leather wallet was taken Nov. 12 from a purse hanging on the back of a chair at the , 825 S. Oak Park Ave. Estimated loss was $95.

Criminal Damage: The driver’s side window was broken Nov. 12 on a 2002 Chevrolet parked in the 1100 block of Wesley Avenue. Estimated damage was $200.

Theft from Vehicle: A stereo was stolen Nov. 12 from a 1994 Chevrolet parked in the rear of 100 block of South Oak Park Avenue. Entry was gained by using a pry-type tool to break the glass. 

Burglary from Auto: A transistor radio and CDs were stolen sometime between Nov. 12 and Nov. 13 from a 2002 Dodge Durango parked in the 800 block of North Grove Avenue. Entry was gained by using a pry-type tool to break out the front passenger side window. Estimated loss and damage totaled $113.

Theft: The stop sign and sign pole were taken Nov. 13 from the southwest corner of Woodbine and Augusta Avenues. Estimated loss was $150.

Theft: A wallet containing a driver’s license, Social Security and Medicare cards was stolen Nov. 12 from an emergency room patient at , 520 S. Maple Ave. Estimated loss was $25.

Theft: A bicycle was stolen sometime between Nov. 12 and Nov. 13 from the rear yard of a home in the 600 block of North Kenilworth Avenue. Estimated loss was $1,200.

Armed Robbery: Approximately $80 was stolen when an offender demanded the money from a 47-year-old female and ran in the early morning hours of Nov. 14. The victim told police that she was in the 6000 block of West Roosevelt Road around 12:30 a.m. when a heavy-built, clean shaven man described as 25-35 years of age approached the victim from the rear and pointed a handgun to the victim’s head and demanded money. The offender put his hand in the right side front pants pocket, took the money and ran east across Austin Boulevard into the north Roosevelt alley.

Criminal Damage: The rear window of a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier was shattered Nov. 13 on a 2004 Chevrolet Cavalier parked in front of a home in the 1100 block of Lyman Avenue. Estimated damage was $200.

Theft Arrest: A 16-year-old juvenile from Berwyn was charged Nov. 13 with theft by possession after police found the bicycle he was riding was reported stolen the previous week from a home in the 1000 block of South Highland Avenue, police said.

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