Men Posing as Tree Service Steal $500: Oak Forest Police Blotter

SATURDAY, OCT. 6

'We're Here to Cut Down a Tree...'

A victim in the 6000 block of El Morro Lane told police that two men posing as tree service for the city came to their home  contacted officers after previously filing a scam report. According to the victim, two suspects came to their home on Oct. 2 saying they were from the city, there to cut down a tree.

While one suspect took the victim into the back yard, the other entered the home, removing $520 from an envelope in the dresser. The suspects fled the scene after exiting the home, at which point the victim contacted police.

I Never Opened That Account

Police were contacted by a victim in the 17000 block of Sycamore Lane in regards to an identity theft. The victim told police that he received a bill from Bill Me Later in the amount of $618.06, although the victim never opened such an account.

The victim notified the company and the matter is under investigation.

THURSDAY, OCT. 4

Suspicious Car Actually Stolen Car

Oak Forest police officers recovered a stolen Mitsubishi Gallant in the parking lot of 15744 Laramie Avenue, after receiving a call about the vehicle at 9:14 p.m. Police ran the car's license plate through their system, which showed the vehicle was stolen in Country Club Hills earlier that morning, around 7:30 a.m.

Officers notified the Country Club Hills police, who told them they did not need to process the vehicle and the the owner would be there shortly to pick it up. While officers were waiting for the owner, the person who called in the suspicious vehicle spoke with police. The caller said they saw two black males exit the car and walk towards Laramie Ave at 11:30 a.m.

Outstanding Warrant

While on foot patrol in an apartment complex in the 15800 block of LeClaire Avenue, an officer smelled a strong odor of burnt cannabis in the hallway. The officer saw Ricardo D. Watkins, 28, of the 9100 block of Del Prado Drive, Palos Hills, walking towards him and then suddenly turn around and walk the other way.

The officer quickly cut off Watkins on a lower level of the complex and asked why he was there, to which Watkins said he was visiting a friend. The officer ran Watkins' information and found that he had a outstanding warrant for Forgery of Checks out of the Lake County Sheriff's officer.

The officer took Watkins into custody and transported him to the Oak Forest Police Department, where he was placed in a holding cell to await transportation.

Police Blotter information is provided by the Oak 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. We will verify and report the outcome.