Crime & Safety

Man Waves Fake Gun during Robbery: Midlothian Police Blotter

Midlothian police reports, Dec. 23–27.

THURSDAY, DEC. 27

Fouled Up Fencing

Police were called to a home in the 15000 block of S. Terrace Lane, after a resident reported criminal damage to their wooden privacy fence.

At the home officers spoke with the victim, who said at an unknown time, an unknown suspect(s) began removing pieces of the victim's fence and throwing the wood in the creek behind the home. The victim said they wanted to file a report for their insurance company.

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TUESDAY, DEC. 25

'Dude, That's Not A Real Gun'

Police were called to TJ's Bar, 4025 147th Street, after an employee reported an attempted robbery.

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At the bar, police spoke with the employee, who said a black male came into the bar and pointed a gun at the employee, saying, 'Give me all your money.'

The employee told officers that he could tell the gun was not real and told the robber, 'Dude, that's not a real gun.' The suspect then punched the employee in the face before fleeing the area.

A short time later, a suspect matching the description was taken into custody for a similar offense, but attempts to speak with the employee again to get a confirmation the two crimes were committed by the same man were unsuccessful.

Don't Take My Car, My Baby Is in There

Shawn Clay, 56, of the 4100 block of W. 135th Street, Robbins, was charged with armed robbery and criminal trespass to residence, after robbing a victim in the 14600 block of S. Keystone Avenue.

Police were called to the home after a victim reported a man coming up to them and stating he had a gun and to give him all of the victim's money and jewelery. The robber then grabbed the victim's car keys before throwing them back at the victim, when the victim pleaded for the robber to leave the vehicle as the victim's child was in the backseat.

The victim complied and then called police, who spoke with the victim before conducting a search of the area. Police located Clay, who matched the victim's description of her assailant. Clay attempted to flee from police, but was apprehended and questioned.

The victim positively identified Clay, who also was in possession of the money and jewelery the victim said was stolen.

Clay was taken to the police station, where he was processed and held to await a bond hearing.

SUNDAY, DEC. 23

That Car Isn't Yours

Police recovered a stolen vehicle in the 14300 block of S. Karlov Avenue, after making a traffic stop at the location.

During the stop, officers ran the car's registration and found the vehicle to be stolen. While conducting the stop, the suspect driving the car exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Officers chased the suspect, but could not capture the suspect during the chase. A resident near the scene said they saw the suspect running through backyards.

Police confirmed the vehicle was stolen on Dec. 18, from Oak Lawn, and the vehicle was turned over to the Oak Lawn police

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Equipment Bust

Norman W. Russell, 48, of the 15000 block of S. Loomis Avenue, Harvey, was cited with unlawful possession of drug equipment, following a traffic stop I the 15000 block of S. Pulaski Road.

Officers stopped Russell after witnessing him fair to signal a turn. During the stop officers smelled a strong odor of burnt cannabis and asked to search Russell, his passenger and the car. During the search, officers found a glass pipe with burnt ends, commonly used for smoking crack cocaine in Russell's pockets.

Russell was taken into custody, while his passenger was released with the car. Russell was transported to the Midlothian Police Department, where he was cited and released, pending a Feb. 4, 2013 court date.

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.


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