Good Samaritan Turns in Wallet Holding $450, Credit Card: Blotter

SUNDAY, JAN. 20

Boyfriend Breaks Girlfriend's Finger During Dispute

Daniel E. Ricketts, 31, was charged with domestic battery, after his live-in girlfriend filed a report following an argument between the two at their home in the 14700 block of S. Central Avenue.

The victim came to the Oak Forest Police Station following an argument with Ricketts over her cell phone. The victim said she simply wanted a report filed, but did not want Ricketts arrested.

While the victim was speaking with officers, police noticed a splint on her ring finger, which she said was broken during the argument. Police informed the victim that due to the nature of the incident an arrest had to be made.

Police went to the couple's home, where they arrested Ricketts and transported him to the police station. Rickettes told officers that he did not touch the victim, but could not tell them what happened, either.

At the station, the victim gave a written statement saying that she and Ricketts were arguing over her cell phone. She said he took the phone and when she tried to reach in his pocket, he grabbed her finger and pushed her to the ground.

The victim then went to St. James Hospital, were X-rays determined she had a broken right ring finger.

Police provided the victim with instructions on obtaining an order of protection and she signed a complaint for domestic battery.

SATURDAY, JAN. 19

Wallet Returned by Good Samaritan 

A resident called police to T.J. Max, 16025 Harlem Avenue, after finding a wallet containing $450, several identification cards and a credit card.

Officers took possession of the wallet and attempted to return it to its owner, but were unsuccessful. Officers left a note at the owner's home to retrieve the wallet at the Oak Forest Police Station, which he did later that day.

Car in Parking Lot Dented, Twice

Police were called to a home in the 14600 block of Scarborough Court, after a resident reported her car was damaged overnight.

At the scene, the victim told police that sometime overnight between Jan. 18 and 19, an unknown suspect(s) left two dents in her car. She told officers there was no other damage to the car and nothing was taken from inside the car.

Same Parking Lot, Different Damage

Police were called to a home in the 14600 block of Scarborough Court, after a resident reported her car was damaged overnight.

The victim told police that sometime between the late evening Jan. 18 and early morning hours Jan. 19, an unknown suspect(s) smashed the driver's side window. Police found a landscaping rock on the floorboards of the vehicle.

The victim told officers nothing appeared to be missing from her car.

Tires Slashed In Front of Home

Police were called to a home in the 4300 block of Wagman Street, after a resident reported all four tires were slashed on her car.

Tthe victim told police she parked her car in front of her residence the night before and when she returned to it in the afternoon the following day she saw the damage.

The victim told officers she believed the damage could have something to do with her father's divorce.

FRIDAY, JAN. 18

Jewelry, Cufflinks Taken, Guns Left Undisturbed

Police were called to the 6000 block of La Paz Drive, after a resident reported a home burglary.

Officers noted pry marks on the rear door of the residence, but found that the rear door was kicked or pushed in due to damage to the door jam. Officers performed a search of the home and did not find any suspects. 

The victims told officer the suspect(s) took two diamond rings, as well as cufflinks and jewelry from a wooden box on top of a dresser in the master bedroom. The suspect(s) also removed a prescription pill bottle containing 90 pills.

Officers noted the victims' several guns were undisturbed.

Police spoke with a neighbor, who said he saw a tall, thin figure enter the victim’s home through the rear door 10 minutes prior to the victims arriving home.

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.