Homewood Police Blotter: Homewood Hotel Shakedown, Urine HazMat and Angry Anklet Shopper

TUESDAY, JULY 19

Bubbles in Irwin Park Fountain

An officer discovered that someone had placed an unknown substance in the fountain at Irwin Park, causing the water to bubble. The officer contacted a Homewood-Flossmoor Park District employee, who said that when this happens, the bubbles typically dissipate.

SUNDAY, JULY 17

Homewood Car Registration Theft

A Homewood woman who left her car unlocked discovered that a thief or thieves had stolen her vehicle's proof of insurance and registration, police said. The woman, who parked her car in the 3300 block of 184th Street, said the documents were kept in the glove box.

SATURDAY, JULY 16

Hostile University Park Man Urinates in Cell 

A 19-year-old University Park man told a police officer he wished that officer would die, then urinated in his cell following his arrest for driving on a suspended license, police said.

Alex M. Bell, of the 900 block of Union Drive, was pulled over in his Ford Taurus after an officer ran his plates and learned that Bell's license was suspended, according to the report. En route to the station, Bell accused the officer of racism, police said. When he arrived at the Homewood Police Department, Bell called the officer a profane name and wished for his death, according to the report.

While waiting in the holding cell, Bell began kicking and pounding, at which point, Bell was warned that he would be placed in restraints if he persisted, police said. Despite these instructions, Bell then urinated on the jail cell floor and door, according to the report.

Bell was charged with driving on a suspended license and criminal damage to property. A biohazard team was contacted to clean up Bell's urine, at an estimated cost of $300, the report said. Bell is scheduled to appear in Markham Court on Aug. 8.

Golf Ball Vandal Breaks Window

A homeowner in the 18000 block of Center Drive found that a family room window had been damaged by someone using a golf ball, police said. The estimated cost of the window on the building's east side was estimated at $250.

TUESDAY, JULY 12

Angry Anklet Shopper Threatens Target Clerk

An employee at Target, 17605 S. Halsted St., was threatened by a female customer who demanded to see the store's selection of ankle bracelets, police said. After being informed that the store didn’t offer that particular kind of jewelry, police say the woman became angry and threatened the Target clerk, yelling, “I hate foreigners and I’m going to wait for you after work in the parking lot." The employee was alarmed and made a report to Homewood Police Department. Although the employee declined to seek charges, Target security provided police with video of the aggressive anklet shopper and her vehicle, in case there are future problems.

MONDAY, JULY 11

Planter Swiped from CPA Firm

The owner of an accounting firm located in the 18000 block of Dixie Highway discovered that someone removed a blue decorative planter valued at about $100, police said.

SUNDAY, JULY 10

Bogart’s Charhouse A.C. Vandalized

Staff at Bogart's Charhouse, 18225 Dixie Hwy., discovered that someone had damaged a refrigeration coil by intentionally twisting and kinking it, police said. The vandalism caused damage to the pressure control system in the refrigeration unit, which caused some 17 pounds of Freon to leak out, according to the report. The estimated repair cost to the refrigeration unit is $1,000.

FRIDAY, JULY 8

'Gimme the Money' at Homewood Hotel

A Midlothian man complained that he and his girlfriend were accosted by an aggressive panhandler at the Homewood Hotel. The man said that while picking up his friend from the hotel at 17400 S. Halsted Street, an unknown man approached their car, repeatedly yelling, "Gimme the money!"