Homewood Police Blotter: Grocery Store Scam and Clout Claim Fails

MONDAY, JULY 25

Police Interrupt Teen Cigarette Break

A police officer noted a youthful smoker and a companion walking in the 18000 block of Gottschalk Avenue. When asked his age, the smoker said he was 16, at which point the officer relieved him of his cigarette, according to the report. The second teen then surrendered a Newport cigarette from his pocket, police said. Both teens were released to their parents, and given a citation for unlawful possession of tobacco by a minor.

Nervous Riverdale Gun Owner at Traffic Stop

A 33-year-old "nervous" Riverdale man aroused police suspicion when he was pulled over at 175th and Dixie Highway for failing to display a front license plate, police said. The officer asked Marvin Douglas, of the 12000 block of Aberdeen, if he had anything of interest in his car, a silver Inifiniti, according to the report. Douglas, whose hands were shaking, told the officer he had a gun in his car's center console, police said. The gun was described as a.25 caliber Bauer pistol, with a pearl handle, and six bullets in the magazine. Douglas was charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapon.

SUNDAY, JULY 24

Go Phone a No-Go 

A teenage girl tried to purchase a "go phone" and minutes card at Kmart with five counterfeit $20 bills, police said. The teen was detained and the $97.64 worth of merchandise was retained by the store at 17550 Halsted St., according to the report. Officers then learned that the girl has run away several times from Department of Children and Family Services, police said. The teen was taken to the Audy Home in Chicago.

FRIDAY, JULY 22

Slumped Over at 7-Eleven

An Olympia Fields man who was found slumped over his steering wheel at the 7-Eleven, 17950 Dixie Hwy., told police he was very tired. When Ervin Pearson, 52, of the 20300 block of Ithaca Road, was asked if officers could search his car, he told them to go ahead, according to the report. Officers then found a glass pipe in his ashtray, and Pearson was charged with one count of drug paraphernalia, police said. He's scheduled to appear in court Aug. 29 in Markham. 

That's How He Rolls

A Homewood woman told police that her workout at Apollo Park, at Morgan and Bowling Green, ended unhappily when a man on a bike rolled away with her blue and white Nike bag containing her phone, house key, chain and other items. The woman's property loss was estimated at $285. She contacted her phone carrier and turned off her service, according to the report.

MONDAY, JULY 18

Bottle Rockets, Cannabis and Scale Seized

An officer on patrol in the 19700 block of Dixie Highway saw a vehicle with an expired registration and smelled cannabis when speaking to the teenage driver, police said. When the officer asked the driver if he had any illegal items in the car, the teen said he had fireworks in the trunk, according to the report. The officer then patted down a teen passenger and discovered a digital scale with cannabis residue, at which point the teen volunteered he had cannabis in his pants, police said. The driver was charged with driving with an expired registration and fireworks, and released to his father pending an administrative hearing at Homewood Village Hall. A teen passenger was charged with cannabis and released to his mother, pending an appearance in juvenile court. 

SATURDAY, JULY 16

Distraction Scam at Walt's Foods

After an elderly woman was distracted by a couple seeking her help at Walt's Foods, she discovered her wallet was stolen, police said. The woman was shopping in Aisle 10 in the grocery at 2345 183rd St. when a man and woman in their 40s began asking her questions about store sales, police said. After the man and woman walked away, the elderly resident realized her lavender wallet, valued at $15, was missing, along with $60 in cash, her driver's license and her Medicaid card, police said. An in a similar distraction scam at Target, when one man distracted the victim by asking for her assistance, while another apparently stole her wallet.