The Most Notorious Crimes of 2011

River Forest's first homicide since 2005, a choker terrorizes Oak Park, a student pinches master key and more.

Oak Park and River Forest had its share of crime this year, with the latter community experiencing its first homicide since 2005 and with a choker menacing women in Oak Park. Here’s a look back at the year in crime. Three men – one a former North Chicago police officer – were charged with first-degree murder in connection with the July 11 shooting death of Chervon Alexander in a parking lot near Division Street and Bonnie Brae Place. According to police, Devin A. Bickham, 39, both of Blue Island, had conspired with his 20-year-old son Devin Ardvell Bickham Jr., and Cardell Taylor, 35, of Chicago to kill Alexander, who authorities said was the older Bickham’s mistress. Authorities said the older Bickham offered Taylor $400 to kill her. The …

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