Crime & Safety

Police Catch Fugitive Wanted for Murder

Oak Forest police were contacted about a Sauk Village man wanted for murder who was spotted in the city.

Oak Forest police recently helped capture a Sauk Village man wanted for murder.

Leonard Small, 22, of 2150 218th in Sauk Village, was arrested and turned over to Lynwood police on June 28. Small was wanted in connection with a murder that occurred in Lynwood several months ago, according to police.

Oak Forest officers were contacted by Illinois State police who said there were talking with a tipster that had information about Small, who was reportedly was in Oak Forest but was using an alias.

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At the same time police received the tip, a woman was in the lobby of the Oak Forest police department reporting a domestic battery that had just happened. She lived at an apartment on 159th Street and was driving a car that matched one Small was reportedly seen driving.

Police staked out where Small was believed to be hiding out and found several men coming in and out of the apartment’s balcony. Eventually, officers spotted a man they believed to be Small. Two suspects who left the apartment were arrested by police. One of them gave police a false name and told officers that Small was still inside the apartment. Shortly after, Oak Forest police detained two more suspects inside the apartment, each of whom denied being Small. All four were taken to the police department to be identified.

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Small was later turned over to Lynwood police.

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.

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