Southland Stories

Toy Story: Pregnant Woman Accused of Stealing Diapers and Video Games from Toys R Us

Don't like the broccoli? Step out on the bill. Don't want someone talking about your rear? Swing a club. Check out the best of the Southland cop blotter in today's "Good Read: Crime-N-Shame Edition."

A pregnant woman accused of stealing diapers, clothing and video games from a toy store and trying to flee police took a baby girl along for the ride, according to Orland Park police. On Jan. 26, an officer in the Toys R Us parking lot in an unmarked car spotted Jacklyn Dover rushing out of store, according to a police report. Police said they followed the car she was in to LaGrange Road and tried to pull it over after it ran a red light and turned east on 149th Street heading toward Orland Square Mall. Dover then tossed a copy of the Guitar Hero video game out of the car window—which police later recovered—and kept driving, according to the report. The car stopped abruptly outside Carson Pirie Scott, police said, and Dover fled on foot. …

Treasure Chest Chock Full of Gifts for Kids

The Orland Park-based foundation collects toys for children suffering from cancer and recently saw a 20 percent increase in donations.

Kristine Bulian knew what her family had to do. About two and a half years ago, her daughter Hannah was admitted to Advocate Hope Children's Hospital for intense chemotherapy to treat leukemia. It was her 12th birthday. When the doctors found out it was Hannah's birthday, she immediately got to pick a present from the "treasure chest," a selection of toys donated to hospitals across the country from the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation. During 16 hospital stays that followed after her birthday, the staff would bring her toys to choose from on days when she needed rest, especially after a difficult procedure. "It was significant. She always smiled," Kristine Bulian said.  "The hospital staff would always look for the perfect …

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Gone Fishin'

Give 'em 5: Patch Gives Back

As a sign of appreciation and celebration of your community, I headed out for some volunteer time at a local charity.

Editor's Note: Most days, you'll find me with my nose buried in a MacBook, fielding e-mails, updating the site and editing stories. But five days a year, my schedule's a little different. Patch has a company-wide initiative called "Give 5" when your friendly Patch editors set aside our sites for a few hours and head out into our communities to contribute however we can. This sincere appreciation and contribution to our communities is the core of Patch. The editors not only cover their communities but also become part of them. Keep reading to hear about my first Give 5 experience with a very special organization and brainchild of an Oak Forest resident. People often tell me I'm big-hearted. I'm kick-started by the smallest acts of human …

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