Crime & Safety

Wednesday Blotter: Would-Be Corned Beef Thief Gets Caught

Perhaps thief was gearing up for a St. Patrick's Day get together?

Theft

Thursday March 3, police responded to a report of theft at a construction site on the 2400 block of S. River Road. An agent for the construction contractor said that a John Deere Backhoe, valued at $100,000, had been stolen.

Saturday March 5, an unknown offender removed two aluminum wicker benches, valued at $105 each,  from an office building at 455 State St.

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Retail theft

Saturday March 5, police responded to a call from a grocery store at 1555 S. Lee St. for a report of theft. A man was spotted by a loss prevention officer stashing food items in his clothing and stopped him as he approached the exit doors. After police arrived to investigate they found the man to be in possession of four packets of corned beef (well St. Patrick's Day is coming up), valued at $56.48, which were hidden in his coat and inside his pants, according to reports. Robert Nowak, 55, of the 1300 block of Jefferson Street was charged with retail theft. 

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Possession of cannabis

Saturday March 5, while conducting a traffic stop on the 6200 block of River Road, police detected the burnt odor of cannabis in the vehicle. While investigating, police recovered a small bag of cannabis and a pipe for smoking cannabis, according to reports. Curtis Pizzolato, 19, of the 300 block of N. Derbyshire Street in Arlington Heights, was charged with possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Sunday March 6, police pulled over two men after the driver failed to signal while making a turn. While investigating, police detected the odor of burnt cannabis. The passenger of the vehicle admitted that he had cannabis on his person, according to reports. Alexander Ramirez, 22, of the 1700 block of E. Howard Avenue was charged with possession of cannabis. 

Wednesday March 9, police pulled over a man driving a vehicle with one headlight. While speaking with the driver, police detected the smell of burnt cannabis. While searching the vehicle, the driver admitted to being in possession of cannabis, according to reports, and it was retrieved from the vehicle, as well as three smoking pipes. Michael Ludwig, 24, of the 900 block of S. Hamlin Street in Park Ridge was charged with possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. 


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