Alleged Drunk Driver Ends Up in Pond: Oak Forest Police Blotter

FRIDAY, FEB. 23

Alleged Drunk Driver Ends Up in Pond

Robert J. Stephens, 57, of the 9000 block of W. 140th Street, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, BAC great than .08, failure to reduce speed, improper lane usage and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, after a witness reported a car in a small pond off 151st and Oak Park Avenue. 

Stephens was wet from the knees down, with mud on his hands and face. Stephens told officers the last thing he remembered was passing Forestview before realizing he drove into a pond, according to the report.

Officers noted a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath and that he was slurring his speech.

Stephens reportedly failed field sobriety tests. Police took Stephens into custody and transported him to the Oak Forest Police Station, where he blew a .138.

Stephens was processed and released on bond, pending a March 22 court date.

FIRDAY, FEB. 22

Financial Identity Theft

Police were contracted by the victim of a financial identity theft, after an unknown suspect(s) used her banking information to make more than $1,000 worth of purchases at various stores.

The victim told officers that she first noted the fraudulent charges on Feb. 14 and informed her bank. The bank told the victim the transactions were made using a debit card containing the victim's information, although the victim told police she does not own a debit card.

The victim closed her account and was refunded the money for the charges by her bank.

THURSDAY, FEB. 21

Stolen Car, Stolen Time

David C. Cox, 33, of the 5300 block of W. Crescent Lane, was charged with theft of labor or services, after police stopped him in the 15400 block of S. Cicero Avenue.

While on patrol, police noted the vehicle Cox was driving was reported stolen. He was arrested and transported to the Oak Forest Police Department.

At the station, Cox was processed and placed in a holding cell to await a bond hearing.

He is scheduled to appear in court on March 22.

Two Bedrooms, One Burglary Scene

Police were called to a residence in the 5700 block of 151st Street, after residents reported a burglary.

Sometime during the day, an unknown suspect(s) gained entry to the home and removed several items from the two bedrooms in the home.

The first victim said that a 32-inch flat screen television, a Playstation 3, two video games and a laptop were taken from his bedroom.

The second victim said that $700 in various coins, silver, gold, certificates and dollar bills were taken from her bedroom, along with clothing, a laptop and seven gold rings.

The victims said a babysitter was the last person in the home and that she left the residence around 11:30 a.m. And locked the front door.

Police spoke with a neighbor who related that they did not see anything out of the ordinary. 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 20

Unlocked Car, Stolen Laptop

Police were called to a home in the 15900 block of Long Avenue, after a resident reported his car was burglarized.

Around 7:30 p.m. the victim was in his home on the phone, when he thought he heard a noise outside, near his car. He then went out to check on his car, which was unlocked and found his laptop bag, two paramedic books and two notebooks missing from his car.

The victim said the books were valued at approximately $800.

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.