Homewood Police Blotter: Mom Sleeps, Boy Drives; Runaway iPhone

MONDAY, MAY 30

Name Change Nets Charges For Matteson Man

A Matteson man was charged with obstructing police after cursing out a 7-Eleven clerk, then giving officers a false name and age, police said. Dwain Montgomery, 26, of the 6300 block of Patricia, entered the 7-Eleven convenience store at 3154 183rd St. with another man and attempted to buy tobacco products without an I.D., according to the report.  After an officer arrived at the store, Montgomery claimed his name was Barry Harris and that he was either 23 or 24 years of age. After Montgomery could not prove his identity, he was transported to Homewood Police Department, where an officer then found documents on Montgomery's person giving his correct name and age, police said. 

SUNDAY, MAY 29

Mom Sleeps, Underage Son Goes for Drive

While a Homewood mother slept, her juvenile son took himself and other underage youths for a joy ride, police said. An officer saw the vehicle stop in the parking lot of the Speedway gas station, 18002 Halsted, St., then saw four youngsters fleeing from the vehicle, police said. The mother told police she was asleep and had no knowledge that her son was driving the car, according to the report.

Drug Charges for Homewood Man

A Homewood man was charged with drug possession after police discovered him slumped in his vehicle Sunday night with the lights on, according to the report. William Savage, 50, of Olive Road, was startled awake when an officer patted his arm, then began screaming and punching his fists in the air, police said. An officer found a glass pipe with burned residue inside Savage's vehicle, according to the report. 

Chevy Burglarized for CD Player

A Homewood woman was startled to hear the door slam on her 2005 Chevrolet, then discovered the car had been burglarized, police said. The vehicle was parked in the 19000 block of Center Avenue when a person or persons took the compact disc player from the car, according to the report.

SATURDAY, MAY 28

Demolition Derby at Ely's Trailer Park

A teen driver in a stolen car evaded a seat-belt check, then sped into Ely's Trailer Park, abandoning the vehicle, which collided with another car and tree, police said. The collisions in the park at 861 Ridge Rd. occurred after the driver and passenger  jumped from the vehicle while leaving it in drive, according to the report. The driverless car rolled on and struck a Honda Civic, then continued on into a tree, police said. Investigators determined that the vehicle was stolen out of Harvey. The juvenile driver was found by police, then released to the custody of his grandmother. 

Two Cars Burglarized On Birch

Two motorists had their vehicles burglarized while parked in the 2800 block of Birch Road early Saturday morning, police said. A Riverdale woman left her purse on a back seat, then discovered her window had been smashed and the purse left lying on the ground, with the wallet missing, police said. Damage was estimated at $255, according to the report. A Hazel Crest woman who left her vehicle unlocked in the same vicinity also found her purse left lying on the ground with the wallet missing. The theft was estimated at about $32 to replace the wallet, driver's license and state identification, police said.

Park Forest Man vs. Squad Car

A Park Forest man was charged with public intoxication after stepping directly in front of a moving Homewood squad car, police said. After the officer steered the vehicle onto the grass to avoid striking Lawrence L. Watkins, of Tomahawk Drive, Watkins then attempted to run and fell on his face, according to the report. The incident took place near the Homewood Hotel, 17400 S. Halsted St.

Vandals Strike Patriots Park

An unknown person or persons damaged a fence at Patriots Park, scrawling names and symbols in spray paint, police said. The graffiti at the park at 187th Street and Center Avenue did not appear to be gang-related, according to the report. After the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District was notified, the Homewood Department of Public Works was contacted to remove the paint, police said. Damage is estimated at $150.00.

FRIDAY, MAY 27

Markham Man Charged In Menards Theft

A Markham man was charged with retail theft after being caught with merchandise from Menards, 17545 Halsted St., in his clothing, police said. Dion L. Black, 30, of the 2200 block of West 175th Street, was found with two 9-inch Fire Rescue Blades concealed in his clothes, according to the report.  Black was stopped after he passed the last point of purchase without paying for the blades, valued at a total of $33.98, police said.

Stolen iPhone Tracked To Glenwood

A Homewood woman whose iPhone was stolen from her unlocked vehicle at James Hart Junior High School tracked the smart phone to another town but failed to recover it, police said. The woman told police she tracked her missing iPhone, using its GPS feature, to the intersection of Arizona Avenue and Strieff Lane in Glenwood, but did not find any trace of it, according to the report. The loss of the phone and case is estimated at $200.

Chicago Heights Woman Charged With Theft

A Chicago Heights woman was charged with theft after a store employee at T.J. Maxx, 17900 Halsted St., reported seeing her stealing clothing, police said. Mia R. Vasquez, 20, of the 19000 block of Glenwood, placed several items of clothing in her purse and left the store, according to the report. The value of the items was $37.97.

THURSDAY, MAY 26

Hazel Crest Man Clothed in Tags, Security Devices

A Hazel Crest man and a young accomplice were charged with retail theft after being caught dressed in stolen clothing, with price tags and security devices still attached, police said. Myles Marshall, 18, of the 2200 block of 167th Street, was observed entering the men's dressing room at Kohl's with a juvenile male, then leaving the changing area empty except for clothes hangers, according to the report. Officers stopped the pair after they exited the store at 17620 Halsted St., and found both dressed in clothes festooned with Kohl's tags and security devices, police said. The stolen clothing on Marshall was priced at $326. The stolen attire on his juvenile accomplice was priced at $206.00, police said.

Flower Baskets, Planter Vandalized

Four hanging flower baskets were pulled down from light posts in the 1800 block of Ridge Road, and a nearby planter also was damaged, police said. The hanging flower baskets were valued at $44 each. A fiberglass flower planter worth $80, located near the Bright Start Learning Center, 1800 Ridge Rd., was also damaged, according to the report.