Homewood Police Blotter: Purse to Go, 300 Party Hard, Handyman Scam

TUESDAY, APRIL 19

One Purse To Go

A South Chicago Heights woman had her purse snatched off of her table at a local Homewood eatery, police said. The customer was seated with a friend inside Chili's Grill & Bar when a woman entered the restaurant, reached over a railing and grabbed the black leather handbag, according to police reports. Police said the purse contained $52, a Discover card and several bank and store credit cards. The thief is described as an African-American woman in her 20s, 5'4, 130 pounds, wearing a black and gold jacket and jeans, police said. After grabbing the purse, the woman fled to the parking lot, where she jumped in the passenger side of a red Ford Explorer with a folded-up temporary registration, according to police. 

Driving Without License Nets Felony Charges

Eddie J. Spain, 42, of the 10700 block of Emerald in Chicago was charged with felony driving while license revoked, according to a police report. Police say they noticed Spain's car in the parking lot of Home Depot and ran his license plate. According to reports, Spain has a DUI on his driving record.

SATURDAY, APRIL 16

Manor Health Care Resident Victimized Again

An 82-year-old woman staying in Manor Health Care was again victimized by fraud, police said. The victim's daughter, who lives in Chicago Heights, got an alert from TCF Bank of a suspicious withdrawal of $500, police said. Police said it was discovered that someone removed the woman's Target card, credit cards and social security card from her purse, which was kept in her room at the assisted living facility. Previously, an estimated $1,700 in fraudulent charges were made on the elderly woman's card, according to the report.

Yells About God & the Devil

Homewood police officers broke down the door to a resident's apartment Saturday afternoon after she yelled about God, the devil and the possibility that she might harm herself, reports said. The 35-year-old woman yelled, screamed, banged objects and declared that "things are not okay," police said. When an apartment manager attempted to talk to the woman, she screamed insults and talked about demons, according to the report. The Homewood Fire Department assisted the woman, who was not physically harmed, according to the report. One relative told police the woman has a history of mental illness, according to the report. 

Pedestrian Reports Robbery

A Homewood man told police he was held at gunpoint and robbed by three assailants who accosted him as he walked home from a trip to Walgreens, police said. The man said he arrived at the drug store shortly after 10 p.m., only to find it already closed, said police. He began to walk home, at which point he noticed a Toyota or Hundai coming east from Halsted, police said. According to the report, three men emerged from the vehicle and threatened to "pop" him, the victim told police. One reportedly held a large, silver handgun to the side of his face, according to police. The victim stated that he feared for his life and wrestled for the gun which discharged and fell to the ground, police said. After the assailants fled with the man's cell phone, baseball cap and house keys, he called police for help, reports said. Police plan to review store surveillance tape from a nearby liquor store to help with the investigation,  according to the report.

"Pay-to-Party" At Homewood Residence

On Saturday night around 10:15 p.m., officers responding to complaints about a large party discovered around 300 youths from Homewood, Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Chicago and other towns gathered at a local home, police said. Officers said the line of would-be partygoers stretched from the home's front door and extended down the driveway. When an officer walked up to the door, he discovered a woman charging money for entry to the party, according to the report. Homeowner Eddie Cheatham, 69, of the 28oo block of Willow, was cited with inciting a nuisance, police said.  His wife, who police say was collecting money to enter the residence, was not charged, according to the report. According to police, it was the second time they had responded to complaints about a party at the residence, but said they let Cheatham off with a warning the first time.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14

Woman Loses Diamond Ring

A Homewood woman told police she believes she lost her diamond engagement ring at the Jewel-Osco store on Halsted Street, according to police. Police said the woman intended to have her $3,000, one-carat ring re-sized, and was carrying it with her cash. The woman believes that the ring fell out when she retrieved cash to pay for grocery purchases, police said.  If anyone finds the ring, they should contact the Homewood Police Department.

TUESDAY, APRIL 12

Chevy Dealership Target of Check Fraud

Chevrolet of Homewood has been targeted by a person or persons unknown writing fraudulent checks, said police. According to police, a check in the name of that business was written on April 12 at a Forest Park currency exchange for $504.21. On April 13, another check for $6,352.74 was written at TCF Bank in an attempt to open an account there, according to the report. In these instances, the check's numbers were correct, but not the check itself, police said. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 9

Handyman Scam Targets Elderly

An elderly Homewood couple was robbed Saturday afternoon by a handyman scam artist and his accomplice, according to police reports. The elderly homeowner found a stranger in sunglasses in her hallway and asked, "what are you doing in my house?" police said. The man claimed to be a neighbor, and told her that her husband wanted assistance with lawn care, according to the report. The man then asked for change for a $50 bill, according to police. Frightened, the woman attempted to make change, which the stranger did not take, police said. The man then went outside to a black van with tinted windows and a lawn-mower loaded in the rear, according to police. As the woman yelled, "what are you, some sort of con man?" the man and his accomplice, described only as a white female, fled in the van, according to the report. Later, the woman discovered her bedroom dresser had been ransacked and burglarized of $600, according to police.  The "handyman" is described as white, medium height and weight, 50 years of age, clean-shaven, with shiny shoes, according to police.