Law and Order, Local, Local Police Reports, Park Forest

Fourth of July Explosion in Coop: Investigation by PFPD & ATF Ongoing


A July explosion in Park Forest is under investigation, TimStrong Squad 204 police pfpd
The #TimStrong Squad 204 of the Park Forest Police Department. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)

The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is Assisting the PFPD in the Investigation

Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- An investigation into a Fourth of July explosion that occurred in the Ash Street Cooperative is ongoing, eNews Park Forest has learned. Detective Justin Rimovsky recently told a group of residents that the explosive was “larger” than any fireworks and the setting of the device was not accidental and was not random, according to police.

No one was hurt by the blast, according to Det. Rimovsky and Deputy Chief Brian Rzyski. Park Forest Police are heading the investigation, according to police. The Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) responded to process the scene and is also involved with the ongoing investigation of the July explosion.

“We have not made any arrests and we believe this was not a random act,” Deputy Chief Rzyski told eNews Park Forest.

We will update the public as more information is made available, or if and when an arrest is made.

About Police Reports

Please note that when we report on arrests, we repeatedly say “according to police” in these reports and often use the word “allegedly.” We are not asserting in any way that those arrested and/or charged have committed any offenses. We report on what is in the media reports furnished by police. As those charged are innocent until proven guilty, the burden is on prosecutors and police to prove all alleged crimes.

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eNews Park Forest has always published addresses of those arrested and will continue to do so. 5 ILCS 140/2.15 states that the governmental body (for these reports, the Police Department), shall release information on those who have been charged, including their name, age, and address. This information is necessary to ensure the proper identity of those arrested.

An arrest does not mean that a person is guilty. All those arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty. It is the policy of eNews Park Forest to not remove items in the public record from publication. If your name is listed in the police reports, we will only add information relevant to the final disposition of the case at hand, e.g. “Mr. Smith was subsequently acquitted,” “Mr. Smith entered a guilty plea,” or “All charges against Mr. Smith were subsequently dropped.” We will do so upon receiving and verifying proof of such disposition.

All of the incidents in this report were captured on body-worn and/or dash-mounted cameras by officers at the respective scenes, according to police. All Park Forest police officers wear body-worn cameras. These devices are now typically abbreviated BWC in the reports.

Persons wishing to leave anonymous information on any criminal matters including narcotics or gang activity are encouraged to call the Park Forest Police Department Investigations Division at (708) 748-1309.


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