Santa, Reindeer Snatched from Lawn: Oak Forest Police Blotter

SATURDAY, DEC. 16

Inflatable Santa, Penguin Stolen

Officers were called to a home in the 17300 block of Arrowhead Trace, after a victim reported that two Christmas decorations were stolen from their front lawn sometime over night.

The victim told officers that a unknown suspect(s) removed an inflatable Santa and penguin from their front yard between 11:30 p.m., Dec. 15, and 9:15 a.m., Dec. 16.

The victim said the two items would cost about $100 to replace.

Woman Curbed for Drunk Driving

Kathleen Bucholz, 53, of the 1500 block of W. 187th Street, Homewood, was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, no driver's license on person, DUI, no insurance and DUI over .08, following an accident at the intersection of 159th Street and Cicero Avenue on Sunday, Dec. 16.

Police arrived on the scene and found Bucholz and the victim standing near their vehicles.

Officers had both parties get back in their vehicles and move to a parking lot near the scene of the accident. While Bucholz was attempting to drive to the parking lot, officers noted that she nearly backed into their squad car and only stopped after officers honked their horn.

In the parking lot, officers spoke with Bucholz and noticed alcohol on her breath. Bucholz initially told officers that she wasn't drinking, but later admitted to having a few glasses of wine with her mother earlier in the evening.

Officers then spoke with the victim, who said they were at a red light, when Bucholz drove into them.

Police had Bucholz perform standard field sobriety tests, during which time they asked if Bucholz was on any medications. She replied that she was not on any medications. Officers attempted to have Bucholz give a breath sample at the scene, but she refused and was taken into custody.

At the Oak Forest Police Station, Bucholz submitted to a breath sample, blowing a .203. She was then processed and released on bond, pending a court date of Jan. 2, 2013.

FRIDAY, DEC. 15

Christmas Reindeer Decoration Stolen

Police were called to a home in the 5800 block of Edward Drive, after a resident reported a burglary from their home.

The victim told officers that sometime over night, an unknown suspect(s) removed a metal and cloth light-up reindeer from their front yard. The victim said the reindeer was valued at $30.

FRIDAY, DEC. 14

Bike, Golf Clubs Stolen from Garage

Police were called to a home in the 16800 block of Laramie Avenue, after a resident reported a burglary.

At the home, the victim told officers that they arrived home at 6:30 p.m., Dec. 13, and closed their garage door. The next morning, Dec. 14, at 8:30 a.m., the victim said they noticed the garage was open, but didn't see anything missing.

When the victim returned home, they told officers they did a more detailed check of their garage and noticed their mountain bike and a golf bag containing a full set of clubs were missing.

The victim told officers it would cost about $500 to replace the stolen items.

THURSDAY, DEC. 13

Spare Tire Stolen

Police were called to Audiodriven, 15316 Cicero Avenue, after a victim reported that the spare tire from their vehicle was stolen.

At the business, police spoke with the victim, who said that sometime between 5 p.m., Dec. 12, and 8 a.m., Dec. 13, an unknown suspect(s) removed the spare tire from the rear of a van that was parked at the business overnight. The victim told officers the tire was worth approximately $300. The victim also showed officers damage to the paint of the van, that would also cost $300 to repair.

Electronics, Jewelery Stolen From Home

Police were called to a home in the 4300 block of Mann Street, after a resident reported a burglary to their home.

At the residence, police spoke with the victim, who said they arrived home at 3:55 p.m. to find the door to the home kicked in. The victim said they immediately called police after seeing the door kicked in.

Police searched the home and found no suspect(s) in the residence. The victim then entered the home and told officers an iPad 2, an Xbox 360, three Xbox controllers, eight Xbox games, a laptop, an engagement ring, two gold wedding bands and one gold ring were all missing from the 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.