Stolen Car in Flames Lights Up Christmas Sky: Oak Forest Blotter

SUNDAY, DEC. 30

Oliver's Employee Car Broken Into

Police were called to Oliver's Bar & Grill, 6150 159th Street, after a employee reported their car was broken into.

At the scene, police spoke with the victim, who said that sometime between 7 p.m., Dec. 29-3:10 a.m., Dec. 30, an unknown suspect(s) broke the driver's side window of their car and removed a black purse. The purse contained the victim's driver's license, credit cards and about $1,100 in cash.

The victim said they did not think there were any problems with anyone they worked with and that they did not known who could have committed the crime.

SATURDAY, DED. 29

Seatbelt Stop Leads to Pot Possession, Paraphernalia Bust

Travis D. Paetsch, 18, of the 18000 block of 66th Avenue, Tinley Park, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, following a seatbelt compliance stop at 159th Street and Central Avenue.

Officers stopped the car Paetsch was in while conducting a STEP grant seatbelt checkpoint, noting that all three passengers in the car were not wearing seatbelts.

During the stop, officers smelled a strong odor of burnt cannabis coming from the car and Paetsch. Officers found a glass bowl and several burnt joints in the passenger side-pocket of the car, next to Paetsch.

Paetsch was taken into custody and charged, before being released on bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 8, 2013.

FRIDAY, DEC. 28

Customer's Car Burglarized at Oliver's

Police were called to Oliver's Bar & Grill, 6150 159th Street, after a customer reported their car had been burglarized. 

At the scene, police spoke with the victim, who said that sometime between 7:19-7:55 p.m., an unknown suspect(s) smashed in the rear passenger window of their ar and removed a black, nylon bag containing a Canon camera, an extra lens and memory card, valued at $1,000.

A search of the area resulted in no evidence at the scene.

THURSDAY, DEC. 27

Jewel Shopper Busted Trying to Steal Booze

Darren L. Wright, 38, of the 16600 block of Ashland Avenue, Markham, was charged with retail theft, after a Jewel employee witnessed him removing nine bottles of alcohol from the store.

At the store, police spoke with the employee, who said they saw Wright remove nine security censors from the bottles, before making a small purchase and exiting the store, following another customer telling him he was being watched.

Police then spoke with Wright, who officers found in the parking lot, and conducted a field interview. While speaking with Wright officers discovered he hand an outstanding Will County warrant for retail theft.

Officers placed Wright in custody and the Jewel employee signed complaints for retail theft. Wright was transported to the Oak Forest Police Station where he was processed for the retail theft charge and his warrant. He was placed in a holding cell until his bond hearing because he was unable to post bail.

TUESDAY, DEC. 25

Car Fire Lights Up Christmas Sky

Police were called to a parking lot in the 16100 block of Latrobe Avenue after a resident reported a vehicle fire across the street from their residence.

At the scene, police found a car fully engulfed in flames and called the Oak Forest Fire Department to put out the fire. Once the fire was out, police checked the vehicle's VIN number, and found the vehicle was reported stolen to the Will County Sheriff on Dec. 22.

Officers contacted the sheriff's office and were told to have the vehicle towed from the scene. The witness told officers that they saw a subject exit the car and get into a waiting vehicle, before driving off.  

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.