$7,000 in Cigs, $3,000 in Loose Change Stolen: Oak Forest Police Blotter

TUESDAY, OCT. 9

Windshield Takes a Beating

A victim called police following criminal damage to their car in the Aldi parking lot, 15440 Cicero Ave. The victim told police that while they were in Marcotte's Bar & Grill, 15501 S. Cicero Ave., an unknown person(s) used an unknown object to smash the windshield of their car.

No witnesses or suspects were located at the scene.

MONDAY, OCT. 8

Ruse Scam Strikes Again

A caretaker for a victim in the 5100 block of 167th Street contacted police after the victim was robbed using a ruse scheme. The victim told officers that a women came to the door and was asking for money for a church or pop, the victim couldn't remember exactly what. The victim said they gave the woman $200, at which point she told the victim she would be back the following day for the remaining $2,500, before entering a waiting dark-colored sedan.

The caretaker told police this was not the first ruse crime at the home and that she would be installing security measures in the near future. Officers spoke with the victim and told them to call 911 should anyone come to the door again.

SUNDAY, OCT. 7

That's Not Very Neighborly

Maureen L. Gromala, 58, of the 15300 block of Kilpatrick Avenue, was cited for disorderly conduct, following a call from neighbors.

According to police, neighbors of Gromala called police after she got into a shouting match with another neighbor over the volume of the neighbor's television. Witnesses stated that Gromala used racial slurs and profanity, which led the witness to call police.

Officers spoke with Gromala, who appeared very intoxicated and admitted to cursing at her neighbors to 'turn it the [expletive] down.' Police spoke with the neighbor, who said they wished to sign a complaint.

Gromala was issued a disorderly conduct citation, but refused to sign the form. Officers left Gromala copies of the form and the parties were advised not to speak with one another.

Great, Now We're Going to Miss Our Shows

A home in the 16000 block of Oak Avenue was the scene of a burglary. The victims contacted police after coming home at 12:30 a.m. and finding their 42-inch plasma television and laptop computer missing from their living room. The victims told officers they were gone from the home between 3:30 p.m. Oct. 6 and 12:30 a.m. Oct. 7

At the home, police noticed that all the window screens were raised in an effort to gain entry into the house. However, the unknown suspect(s) could not gain entry to the home through the windows and ultimately forced in the back door.

The suspect(s) removed the television and laptop, before leaving the scene. Neighbors told police they did not see or hear anything strange during the time of the burglary.

Burned By a Friend?

Police were called to an apartment in the 16000 block of Laramie Avenue by the victim of a burglary. The victim told police at the scene that someone had taken $7,000 worth of cigarette cartons, $3,000 in loose change, a $500 HP laptop and a $200 electronic bill counter.

The victim told officers that they own a cigarette shop in Chicago and that they keep some inventory at the home, which explained the large number of cigarette cartons and loose change.

The victim told police that they had an idea on a suspect and told officers the suspect had asked for money earlier in the day. The victim told officers that the suspect texted the victim around 6:30 p.m. asking for a loan, which the victim refused. The victim told officers the suspect then became angry and sent a text stating that he, 'had robbed people before.'

At 8:35 p.m. the victim received another text from the suspect, asking what he was doing. The victim told the suspect he was out with his girlfriend and immediately became uneasy about telling the suspect he wasn't home.

The matter is currently under investigation.

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.