Vehicle Theft

Tuesday Jan. 18: At 9:23 a.m. police were dispatched to the Ace Rent-a-Car at the 2900 block of S. Mannheim Rd. after receiving a call for a complaint of vehicle theft. Police were told a woman in Chicago rented a 2010 black Chevy Impala to be returned Jan. 6, and had failed to do so. A certified letter had been sent from the rental company to Diggs demanding the return of the vehicle, and she did not comply. The responding officer’s attempt to contact Diggs via telephone was unsuccessful. Police entered the vehicle in the leads tracking system.

Vehicle Theft

Wednesday Jan. 19: Police were dispatched at 7:36 a.m. to the casino construction site at the 2800 block of S. River Rd. in response to a complaint of vehicle theft. The foreman of the construction site spoke with workers from the other construction companies working on the project and determined nobody had scheduled a pick-up for a 2002 John Deer front-end loader parked along the curb on the west side of River Road. He then called police.

The foreman told the responding officer the piece of equipment had been stolen sometime between Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m. and Jan. 19 at 5:30 a.m. The maintenance man told police there were no surveillance cameras at the entrance, and police entered the vehicle into the leads tracking system.

Criminal Damage to Property

Wednesday Jan. 19: While on routine patrol at 12:09 a.m. police observed graffiti on a “Snow Route Parking Prohibited” sign at the 1600 block of E. Howard St. An evidence technician was called to the scene for photographs, and the responding officer completed a Graffiti Order Work Report to have the black spray paint removed because it is on city property.

Property loss: $100

Drinking in Public

Wednesday Jan. 19: While on routine patrol at 1:20 a.m. police observed Hector Gomez, 31, of the 1900 block of Illinois St. walking northbound on Spruce Avenue toward Prospect Avenue. When Gomez got to the intersection he looked at the squad car and then walked westbound on Prospect Avenue and up to the front door of a residence at the 1800 block of Spruce Avenue.

The responding officer observed Gomez standing at the door for several seconds without attempting to open the door. Gomez stood at the door for about five minutes, and he then reached into his pocket and put an unknown item on the ground near the front door. He then walked onto the sidewalk. The responding officer spoke with Gomez.

Gomez told the officer the resident at the 1800 block of Spruce Avenue was his cousin and he was trying to make contact with him to see if he could spend the night. A check of the front door revealed an open bottle of brandy. Gomez told the officer the liquor was his and he was walking around on the streets drinking some of the brandy after the Bulls game that night.

The responding officer made contact with the resident, who confirmed Gomez was his cousin, but didn’t know he was coming to the residence at that time.

Gomez was transported to the police station where he was charged with drinking in public. He is scheduled to appear in the Skokie courthouse March 3.

Burglary to Vehicle

Monday Jan. 17: At 12:41 p.m. police were dispatched to the 300 block of Northwest Highway in response to a call about burglary to a vehicle. Sometime between noon and 12:40 p.m. an unknown offender broke the window of a 2010 black Lexus and stole a brown purse, which was under the driver’s seat and not visible from the outside of the vehicle. An evidence technician was called to the scene for photographs.

Property loss: $150