South Suburban DUI Arrests, April 28

CHICAGO HEIGHTS

April 17: Angelica M. Stevenson, 32, of the 4200 block of Lindenwood Drive, Matteson, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, failing to yield to an emergency vehicle and driving without a license, according to a report. Stevenson was stopped at about 4:31 a.m. near 1000 E. 14th St. after her car failed to yield for an emergency vehicle. An officer noted the driver had bloodshot eyes and a smell of alcohol on her breath. Stevenson took field sobriety tests and a breath test before she was arrested. She is due in Markham court on May 29.

April 14: John M. Fantasia, 32, of the 100 block of East Joe Orr Road in Chicago Heights, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol content greater than 0.08, improper lane use, driving without insurance and driving with an expired license, according to a report. Police stopped Fantasia's 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix at about 11:48 p.m. near the intersection of 12th Street and Halsted Avenue. The car had jumped the median, nearly hit a police car and threw sparks as it continued down the center of the road. An officer reported smelling a strong odor of alcohol on the driver's breath. He was arrested after performing field sobriety tests and took a breath test while in police custody.

April 11: Jose Hernandez, 43, of the 100 block of East 23rd Street, Chicago Heights, was charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol content greater than 0.08, improper lane use, driving without insurance and driving with a suspended license, according to a report. Police were called about a driver who was "all over the roadway." Hernandez was stopped at about 2:34 a.m. near the intersection of Main Street and Euclid Avenue. An officer reported smelling an odor of alcohol on the driver's breath. He was arrested after performing field sobriety tests and, while in custody, submitted to a breath test.

OAK LAWN

April 15: Police clocked a Chevy Tahoe driving 55 mph in a 35-mph zone around 12:59 a.m., reports said. Officers said they saw the driver, identified as Johnathon Jackson, 22, of Chicago, changing lanes without signaling and driving erratically, nearly hitting another car. Jackson told police he was on his way to a Holiday Inn. While officers were checking his license, police said, Jackson got out of his car and started urinating by the side of the street. He was told repeatedly to get back in his car, reports said. Police said Jackson finished relieving himself by his own car and then sat in the driver’s seat. After police determined that Jackson’s license was suspended, Jackson told the officers he drank two or three beers, according to the report. At the Oak Lawn police station, officers said, Jackson became angry and was placed in a holding cell. Police said he blew a .142. Jackson was charged with driving under the influence, driving under the influence over .08, and driving on a suspended license. His next court appearance is June 3.

April 14: Scott P. Cichon, 48, of Chicago, was stopped by police at a gas station in the 5200 block of West 111th Street around 1:40 a.m. Cichon got out of his car, police said, and was told to get back inside but he left his driver’s door open. As they approached Cichon’s car, the officer saw an open bottle of Jim Beam in the driver’s door compartment, reports said. Cichon denied he had been swerving down 111th Street, police said, and Cichon could not produce his driver’s license or proof of insurance. Asked if he could be honest with police, Cichon admitted his license had been suspended. According to the report, Cichon told the officer: "Dude, I’m sorta [effed] right now and if you’re gonna [eff] me over, and I’m going to be really [effed]." Police said that Cichon failed field sobriety tests. He was taken to the Oak Lawn police station where he was charged with DUI and other traffic offenses. According to the report, it was discovered that Cichon had four prior DUI offences. Police said that Cichon blew a .249. At the time of the report, he was being held for a court appearance at Bridgeview.

April 13: After rear-ending a truck at 95th Street and Cicero Avenue, a driver told police he was trying to find his way to the White Castle. The driver of a pickup truck told police he had come to a complete stop when a Pontiac rear-ended him at about 4:20 p.m., reports said. Police said the driver of the Pontiac, Jeffrey J. Danato, 40, of Alsip, could not find his driver’s license and proof of insurance. After searching for a while, Danato found his license in his sweatshirt pocket and proof of insurance lying on his front seat, police said. Asked to explain how the accident occurred, Danato replied: “There were just so many cars out there.” Officers said Danato told them he was trying to turn into a White Castle and also was on his way home to Alsip, which was in the opposite direction of the crash. Police said Danato admitted he had taken a 75mg of methadone he had received at a clinic earlier in the day. He was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of an intoxicating compound. Police said that Danato blew a zero at the station. His next court appearance is June 3.

ORLAND PARK

March 25: Brandy L. Dennehy, 32, of the 2200 block of Rivendell Drive, New Lenox, was charged with driving under the influence and improper lane use, according to a report. She was stopped at about 1:08 a.m. after his black Cadillac was spotted weaving on the road near the intersection of 167th Street and Wolf Road. Police noticed a strong smell of alcohol coming from her breath. She was arrested after taking field sobriety tests. She also took a breath test while in police custody. Dennehy is due in Bridgeview court on May 7.

March 23: Marie E. Dorans, 48, of the 11800 block of Windermere Court, Orland Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to yield to an emergency vehicle and speeding, according to a report. Police tried to stop Dorans at about 8:13 p.m. in the 8700 block of 143rd Street for speeding. She reportedly didn’t slow down for several blocks. During the traffic stop, an officer noticed an odor of alcohol when she spoke. She was arrested after being asked to perform field sobriety tests.

PALOS HILLS

April 20: Jennifer Percudani, 30, of Crestwood, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol greater than 0.08, improper lane use and failing to signal when required, according to a report. Police saw Percudani’s vehicle at about 3:45 a.m. swerving in the road and striking the curb in the 10000 block of Roberts Road. She was arrested after performing field sobriety tests. Percudani is due on May 30 in Bridgeview court.

April 19: Sylwester Butryn, 34, of Palos Park, was charged with driving under the influence and two traffic citations, according to a report. Butryn was stopped at about 9:45 p.m. near the intersection of 88th Avenue and 103rd Street. An officer noticed a strong smell of alcohol coming from the car. Butryn was arrested after performing field sobriety tests. He is set to appear on April 30 in Bridgeview court.

HOMEWOOD

April 21: Nathaniel Leavitt, 33, of the 3700 block of 168th Street, Country Club Hills, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, failing to provide proof of insurance, failing to yield at an intersection and failing to notify the Secretary of State of an address change, according to a report. Leavitt was stopped at about 1:19 a.m. near 183rd Street and Dixie Highway after police saw him failing to come to a complete stop at an intersection. Police could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. Leavitt moved as though he was in "slow motion," police said. He is due in Markham court on May 20.

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Police report information is provided by local police departments. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions 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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