Homeowner Pins Burglar Until Police Arrive: Midlothian Blotter

Editor's Note: An original Patch report incorrectly identified the driver involved in the Feb. 28 incident as Jonathan Rickman. The driver was actually Meshach Richardson. Patch regrets the error. 

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

Resident Stops, Beats Up Burglar

James E. Aardsma, 25, of the 15049 S. Springfield Avenue, faces charges of home invasion armed/force, home invasion cause injury and resisting a peace officer, after police arrested him in a home in the 14800 block of S. Hamlin Avenue.

Police found Aardsma in a back room of the home, where a witness had him pinned, according to the report. Police took custody of Aardsma and removed him from the home, before speaking with witnesses.

The homeowner told police that he was at home when he started hearing strange noises coming from the rear of the home and went to investigate. There he found Aardsma with his father's computer bag around his neck. The witness said Aardsma punched him in the face which started a struggle between the two men, according to the report.

The homeowner was able to wrestle Aardsma to the ground, when he called for help from his father, while his mother called police.

The witness's father positively identified the computer, valued at approximately $1,500. Both witnesses agreed that they wanted to file charges against Aardsma.

Aardsma was taken to the Midlothian Police Department, where he refused to answer questions, stating he was tired and wanted to go to sleep, according to the report.

The investigation was then turned over to detectives.

My Uncle Got Me this Fake State Sticker

Destini D. Davis, 17, of the 3200 block of Oregon Trails, Olympia Fields, was charged with driving while license suspended, unlawful use of license, improper use of registration—fictitious registration sticker and defective windshield, following a traffic stop in the 140 block of S. Cicero Avenue.

While on patrol, officers noted the car Davis was driving had a cracked windshield and called in the registration for the car. The registration for the car returned as expired and that the legal registration sticker on the car belonged on a different car, registered in Chicago.

Police stopped Davis, who provided her driver's license and a valid insurance card. Davis said the car was her parents and that an uncle provided the vehicle's registration sticker.

A search of Davis' license returned that it was suspended since September of 2012 for financial reason. Davis was taken into custody and transported to the Midlothian Police Department. She was then processed and released, pending two separate court dates on March 19 and April 18.

THURSDAY, FEB. 28

Driver Goes on Lawn Joy Ride

Meshach Richardson, 27, of the 12800 block of S. Lowe Drive, Chicago, was charged with criminal damage to property, after driving a car over several lawns in the 14700 block of S. Kilpatrick Avenue.

Police were called to the scene to help Crestwood police with a traffic pursuit.

At the scene, officers witnessed Richardson drive across several lawns before becoming stuck in the 14700 block of S. Kilpatrick Avenue, according to the report.

Once stuck, Richardson was taken into custody by Crestwood police and the car was towed by the Crestwood Police Department.

Midlothian officers then made contact with the car owner's insurance company, who already started an insurance claim on the incident. Officers then spoke with three of the four homeowners whose property was damaged, with all stating they would prefer to have the mattered handled by the insurance company.

Attempts to notify the fourth owner were unsuccessful, so an incident report will be mailed.

Police Blotter information is provided by the Midlothian 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.