Death Investigation
Police were dispatched to a residence in the 3000 block of Western Avenue on May 30 to investigate a report of a possible suicide. Officers discovered Sophia Neal, 36, 3024 Western Ave., Park Forest, lying on her back on the living room couch. She was unresponsive and did not appear to be breathing. Corporal Sheets could not locate a pulse. Park Forest Fire Department paramedics arrived and were unable to locate any signs of life. According to her husband, Mrs. Neal had been depressed. Her body was transported to St. James Hospital where she was pronounced dead by Dr. Millard at 10:57 p.m. The determination of the cause of death was pending toxicology reports.
Police Reports
A black 12-gauge shotgun valued at $100, Newport cigarettes valued at $25, a black flip cell phone valued at $50, an unknown quantity of cigars valued at $15, were reported stolen from a residence in the 200 block of Allegheny Street on May 28. Police have suspect information and continue to investigate.
Two juveniles were arrested and processed on charges of battery and disorderly conduct when police were dispatched to Illinois School, 210 Illinois Street, regarding a report of a fight in progress. The juveniles were not students at Illinois School.
A DirectTV satellite dish at a residence in the 300 block of South Orchard Drive was reported damaged on May 30.
Police were dispatched to a residence in the 200 block of Marquette Street on May 30 to investigate a report of criminal damage to property. A resident reported returning home with her family and observing small pry marks near the door jamb area. Similar damage was found on a garage door. All doors were still locked and nothing appeared to be missing from the residence. Police continue to investigate.
Reginald King, 50, 5246 W. 3rd Place, Gary, IN, was arrested on May 30 and charged with retail theft and possession of drug paraphernalia when police were dispatched to CVS Pharmacy, 1 Main St., to conduct a premise exam. A store manager was concerned with a subject, later identified as Mr. King. Officer Hoskins waited in the parking lot at which time SouthCom dispatch advised that King had allegedly exited the building without purchasing multiple bottles of alcoholic beverages in his possession. Officer Hoskins discovered four bottles of alcohol on King’s person, according to police.
Robert E. Jones, 45, 23457 Western Ave. # A11, Park Forest, was arrested on May 31 and charged with one count of felony retail theft and one felony count of possession of a controlled substance when police were dispatched to CVS Pharmacy, 1 Main St., in reference to a report of retail theft. Jones allegedly took several bars of soap and a 12 pack of Pepsi from the store, according to police. Police learned that he had a prior conviction of retail theft from December 2007.
Durant T. Freeman, Jr., 19, 192 Shabbona Dr., Park Forest, was arrested on June 1 and charged with violation of park rules and underage person possessing liquor when an officer on patrol observed three vehicles enter the Somonauk Park parking lot from Somonauk Street, park next to each other, and extinguish their headlights. Kenneth D. Franklin, Jr., 18, 1051 Samson Dr., University Park, was also arrested and charged with violation of park rules.
A black purse with a silver buckle was reported stolen from the bleacher seats at Central Park, 420 Lakewood Boulevard, on June 1.
Barry B. Brown, 39, 7346 Kingston, Chicago, was arrested on June 2 and charged with one felony count of retail theft when police were dispatched to CVS Pharmacy, 1 Main St., to investigate a report of a retail theft in progress. According to police, an employee observed Brown allegedly removing several 750 ml bottles of Tanqueray from the shelf and putting them inside his jacket. The employee said she heard the bottles clanging together inside of Brown’s jacket as he exited the store. Police located Brown in the 200 block of Forest Boulevard. According to police, he had in his possession seven bottles of Tanqueray valued at $26.99 each.
Police were dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of Sauk Trail on June 2 to investigate a report of domestic battery. Police have suspect information and continue to investigate.
Bryan J. Taylor, 29, 219 Indianwood Blvd., Park Forest, was arrested on June 2 and charged with domestic battery when police were dispatched to that address to investigate a complaint of domestic battery.
Juan Hernandez, 26, 625 W. Emerald St., Chicago Heights, was arrested on June 3 and charged with driving without taillights when required, operating an uninsured vehicle, driving when never issued a license, attempted obstruction of a peace officer, and was processed on a warrant out of Chicago Heights. An officer on patrol observed that the vehicle Hernandez was driving traveling westbound on Sauk Trail from Minocqua Street had no functioning taillights, according to police.
James W. Redmore, 71, 350 Juniper St., #702, Park Forest, was arrested on June 4 and charged with trespassing when police were dispatched to Village Hall to investigate a report of an unwanted subject.
Police were dispatched on June 4 to investigate a report of criminal damage to state supported property. The Plexiglas “Welcome to Park Forest” sign on South Western Avenue had been smashed with a blunt object, according to police.
Kyle D. Wathen, 17, 269 Dogwood St., Park Forest, was arrested on June 5 and charged with possession of cannabis and driving without headlights when required when an officer on patrol observed the vehicle Wathen was driving traveling westbound on Tamarack Street from Monee Road without its headlights activated, according to police. Two passengers in the vehicle, Jordan D. Crayton-Harris, 17, 382 Dogwood St., Park Forest, and Daniel Diaz, 18, 361 Winnebago St., Park Forest were arrested on June 5 and issued municipal tickets charging possession of cannabis. A third passenger, Derek T. Settle, 17, 114 Chestnut St., Park Forest, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession of cannabis.
