Wednesday Blotter: Mob Action, Thieves Find Religious Books

The following items are taken from the Des Plaines Police Department. In all incidents where an arrest occurred, a charge is merely an accusation and not evidence of guilt. The arrested person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Aggravated assault/ Multiple charges

May 7: One man and two minors faced multiple charges after police questioned them during a traffic stop following a complaint from a man on the 2000 block of South Pine Street. The victim stated that about 20 men had been standing on his lawn, threatening him with baseball bats and bricks, when he phoned police. Police stopped the offenders because they matched a description given by the victim.

Hulises Pozo, 20, of the 800 block of Colonial Drive in Wheeling, was charged with aggravated assault, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, mob action, and minor consumption of alcohol. The two minors were charged with aggravated assault, curfew violation, minor consumption of alcohol and mob action. All three men and a relative of the victim have gang affiliations, according to police reports.

Aggravated driving under the influence

May 7: After performing a traffic stop on the 600 block of South Lee Street, police charged Jose Carlos Gomez-Chavez, 24, of the 1500 block of East Woodlawn Avenue with aggravated driving under the influence, no valid driver's license and no valid insurance.

Burglary

May 9: A man reported that an unoccupied trailer that he used to store tools and work supplies, located in a trailer park on the 2900 block of Curtis Street, had been broken into and several items stolen. Items included 60 feet of copper piping and a water heater.

Burglary to vehicle

May 9: A man reported that unknown offenders smashed the rear passenger window of his vehicle while it was parked on the 1400 block of East Ashland Avenue. A bag in the backseat, which contained religious-themed books, had been disturbed but no books were taken (weren't those thieves disappointed).

May 9: A woman reported that her car stereo had been stolen from her unlocked vehicle while it was parked in a lot at 1 N. Broadway Ave.

Disorderly conduct

May 6: A man reported that a man was yelling and urinating on the sidewalk outside of his apartment on the 1400 block of Miner Street. Joseph Sykes, 55, of the 2000 block of South Pine Street was charged with disorderly conduct.

Petty Theft

May 7: A store clerk observed a man attempt to leave El Mexico grocery store, 1425 Ellinwood St., with a bottle of brandy without paying. Keith Hagenback, 64, of the 300 block of Lee Street was charged with petty theft.

Possession of cannabis

May 6: Police stopped a man driving a vehicle on the 1900 block of East Jarvis Avenue on a suspended license. While investigating, they found the driver to be in possession of cannabis. Kurt Holmberg, 27, of the 1700 block of South Maple Street was charged with possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia.

May 7: While conducting a traffic stop on the 2500 block of East Touhy Avenue police found the driver and passenger to be in possession of alcohol and cannabis. Michael Brezin, 19, of the 500 block of North Russell Street in Mt. Prospect, was charged with possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper lane usage and disobeying a traffic control device. Miles Nordquist, 20, of the 1100 block of North Dunton in Arlington Heights was charged with possession of alcohol by a minor and possession of drug paraphernalia.

May 9: Police observed a vehicle parked on the 1400 block of East Forest Avenue with four occupants inside and no lights on. Police approached the group and after questioning found them to be in possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia. Two of the four occupants immediately took responsibility (how often does that happen?) for the items. Claire Compall, 20, of the 1700 block of East Whitcomb Avenue, was charged with possession of cannabis. Richard Wendorff, 22, of the 700 block of North Western Avenue in Park Ridge was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.

Theft

May 6: A man reported that the lock had been cut and his mountain bike, valued at $300, was stolen from the 1500 block of Ellinwood Street, near the train station. 

May 9: A woman reported that her white Maltese dog, valued at $1,300, was stolen from the storefront of her business on the 1700 block of Oakton Street, while she was at the back of the store for about 15 minutes. Witnesses observed two men leaving the store with a white dog.

May 10: A man reported that his three-speed Kobe brand bicycle, valued at $180 was stolen from the back porch of his home on the 1400 block of East Jefferson Street.