Sunday, May 19, 2013
A look at weird crime news in the northern Chicago suburbs.
Hard to Believe This Elaborate Heist Failed A woman from Round Lake Beach was charged with retail theft and reckless driving after she left a JC Penney without paying for $169 in clothing, struck a vehicle with her car and nearly hit several pedestrians while attempting to flee. Candy-Powered Cars Are the Future! A Chicago man was charged with disorderly conduct after he placed a candy bar in his ex-girlfriend's gas tank. Caught Red Handed With Matching Eye Shadow A Prospect Heights woman was charged with retail theft at Golf Mill Mall after a security agent observed her taking cosmetics and makeup from a store display, putting them into her purse and exiting the store without paying. Security recovered 28 items worth $425 on the scene. …
Saturday, May 18, 2013
The following police-related items were taken from area Patches. When an arrest is referenced is should not be considered a conviction.
Des Plaines Battery, Hazing Charges Filed Against Maine West Soccer Coach A former varsity boys soccer coach and teacher at Maine West High School faces multiple criminal charges related to reports of bullying and hazing, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez stated on Wednesday. Michael Divincenzo was charged with eight misdemeanor counts including three counts of battery, one count of hazing and four counts of failure to report abuse as mandated, in incidents on June 1, 2012, Aug. 31, 2012 and Sept. 26, 2012, according to court documents. Divincenzo is accused of threatening freshmen students to have the varsity players stick their thumbs up their buttocks if they did not communicate properly during a soccer drill, according to the …
Friday, May 17, 2013
Former Deerfield resident Daniel Baker, who bludgeoned a Vernon Hills woman to death with a baseball bat, will serve his entire 47-year sentence.
Lake County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Shanes is standing by the 47-year sentence imposed on former Deerfield resident Daniel Baker, reported the Lake County News-Sun. Baker, who did not appear in court Friday for the hearing, was convicted last November of using a baseball bat to bludgeon to death 50-year-old Marina Aksman, of Vernon Hills, after she encouraged her daughter, Kristina, to break up with him, reported Patch. Judge Shanes also would not reconsider the finding that Baker was mentally fit to understand the court proceedings, according to the News-Sun. "The court found this case to be one of extreme and needless violence — truly senseless destruction. Indeed, the court found the evidence showed the defendant’s behavior was …
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Police say the Hoffman Estates man molested an 8-year-old at the church's special needs child care center, the Daily Herald reports.
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Thursday, May 16
A teenage Willow Creek Community Church volunteer has been charged with molesting an 8-year-old boy, the Daily Herald reports. Officials say 19-year-old Robert Sobczak of Hoffman Estates was volunteering in a care center for special-needs children when the molestation occurred. If convicted, he could face three to seven years in prison, the newspaper reports. Willow Creek is headquarted in South Barrington, with campuses in Northfield, Crystal Lake, Huntley, Chicago and West Chicago.
Submissions are due May 27. Selected artwork will be used on promotional materials for this summer's "Run from the Cops" 5K.
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Thursday, May 16
The Vernon Hills Police Department is looking for children's artistic touches as it plans this year's 5K run/walk fundraiser. The department's race committee is seeking original artwork from any student in kindergarten through eighth grade that can be used on posters, flyers and other promotional materials. This year will mark the sixth year "Run from the Cops" event. The proceeds from the July 21 run/walk will benefit Honor Flight Chicago, an organization dedicated to honoring our nation's World War II veterans. Participating veterans are flown to Washington, D.C., to experience the World War II Memorial. Submitted artwork should highlight themes of patriotism, service, and gratitude while promoting Honor Flight's mission. A maximum of …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
The Lake County News-Sun has uncovered that the top bidder for a paving project at the College of Lake County's Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills was indicted last fall by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
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Wednesday, May 15
A project to sealcoat parking lots at the College of Lake County's Southlake Campus in Vernon Hills that was set to begin next week will be delayed as school officials investigate revelations that the contractor hired for the job is under indictment in Cook County, reported the Lake County News-Sun, which uncovered the information. Top bidder Alann Harris, president of North Suburban Asphalt, based in Park Ridge, is alleged to have defrauded some north suburban towns of more than $400,000 for public works projects, according to the News-Sun.
A veteran bus driver for Woodland School District 50 is scheduled to appear in court June 12 on sex assault charges involving a victim under 17.
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Wednesday, May 15
Woodland District 50 bus driver Kristin Miks, 32, of the 33000 Block of Sunset Ave., in Wildwood, was arrested May 13 on two counts of Criminal Sexual Assault and four counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, reported the Lake County Sheriff's Office. The victim was under the age of 17 at the time of the offenses. The victim’s mother found messages from Miks referring to the encounters and reported it to the police, according to the sheriff's office. The Daily Herald is reporting the victim is a female. According to the Lake County News-Sun, Miks also has charges of cruelty to animals pending against her for allegedly mistreating three dogs in her care. In addition, reports the News-Sun, Miks was sentenced to six months of supervision …
The National Transportation Safety Board recommends reducing the limit. Some say it would save lives. Others say it's unreasonable.
One drink could be the standard for drunken driving – at least for some people if the National Transporation Safety Board has its way. On Tuesday, the NTSB recommended states lower the blood-alcohol threshold for driving under the influence from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent. About 10,000 deaths a year are related to drunken driving. The NTSB says the lower limit would save 500 to 800 lives a year. Officials at the American Beverage Institute called the proposal "ludicrous." It said the average woman could reach the 0.05 percent limit by having one drink. According to CyberDriveIllinois.com's 2013 DUI Fact Book, there were 2,593 DUI arrests in Lake County in 2011; 3,071 DUI arrests in 2010; and 3,029 DUI arrests in 2009. DUI facts from …
Jonathan Villasana is accused of trying to have the mother of a woman he gravely injured in a motorcycle crash taken out, according to media reports.
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Wednesday, May 15
A Vernon Hills man accused of attempting to hire a hit man to kill a witness has been denied a lower bond, reported the Lake County News-Sun. Jonathan Villasana, 25, was convicted in March of reckless driving causing great bodily harm stemming from May 2012 incident in which he crashed his motorcycle and injured his female passenger, according to the News-Sun. Villasana is charged with solicitation of murder and solicitation of murder for hire after attempting to hire an undercover police officer to have his victim's mother killed, reported the Daily Herald. He remains in jail on $1 million bond.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
The Libertyville Police Department reports arrests from May 7-12.
These incidents were among the official reports of the Libertyville Police Department. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that decision. Alcohol Santos Honoratio-Salgado, 41, of 18889 W. Hickory St., Mundelein, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol May 13 near Milwaukee and Park Avenues. He was also cited for driving while license suspended. He was released on a $3,000 personal recognizance bond pending a June 28 court date. Karen J. Woo, 24, of 256 Nita Lane, Libertyville, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol May 12 on the 500 block of McKinley Street. She was also cited for DUI over .08, improper lane usage and failure to signal. …
Mr Tibbs
9:13 pm on Sunday, May 19, 2013
B garrett... You do complain a lot. Yet i have yet to see actual suggestions on solutions from you. Just political posturing. Do you have viable ideas or are you just a natural complainer who expects people to solve your problems? more ›