Park Forest, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Editor’s Note: This coverage represents follow-up police reports from June. The original reports indicated that the matters were still under investigation. eNews Park Forest checked back with police to see if charges had been filed.
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eNews Park Forest reports this information because the public in the United States has the right to know. When that information is withheld or under-reported, it leaves questions. We also want to show the work that the police force does every day that is not reported. Police in Park Forest respond to thousands of calls per year, the vast majority of which do not entail arrests. Whether it’s conducting a routine investigation, pulling over a drunk driver, or responding to a possible theft at a store, the work of the police officer deserves acknowledgment by the public.
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.
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.
Aggravated Battery
Raymond Smith, 31, 9 Marquette Place, Park Forest, was arrested on June 17 and charged with two counts of aggravated battery when police responded to the first block of Marquette Place at 2:09 AM in reference to a report of domestic battery.
According to the alleged victim, on June 16, Mr. Smith allegedly started choking her in front of her daughter, police said in the report. When Mr. Smith allegedly started choking the victim, he allegedly put her between the washing machine and the backdoor causing her to injure her nose and hand, according to police.
On June 17, Mr. Smith arrived home at approximately 1:30 AM. The alleged victim and Mr. Smith began to argue. The alleged victim said Mr. Smith began “swinging” at her so she started “fighting for her life,” according to the report. Mr. Smith then allegedly threw the alleged victim to the floor between the nightstand and the bed, according to police. Mr. Smith allegedly began to choke the victim with two hands around her neck, according to police.
The alleged victim explained that she eventually blacked out, according to police.
When police arrived they placed Mr. Smith into custody without incident, according to police. Police offered medical attention to the alleged victim but she declined, saying, “I’m not broke, I’m just bruised,” according to police.
Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon
Dasyun T. Catchings Jr., 23, 3558 Western Ave., Park Forest, was arrested on June 21 and charged with unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and possession of a defaced firearm when police responded to the 3500 block of Western Avenue to investigate a report of domestic battery.
Police spoke with and alleged victim who said that Mr. Catchings was mad about someone going through his cell phone. The conversation led to an argument. Mr. Catchings then allegedly slapped the alleged victim in the face and allegedly started to choke the alleged victim, according to police.
Mr. Catchings then left the residence, according to the report.
Numerous Park Forest police officers and officers from surrounding agencies responded to the area to assist. While checking the area, an officer from the Matteson Police Department located Mr. Catchings hiding in a window well in the 300 block of Forest Boulevard, according to police.
Detectives recovered a firearm located with eight rounds, one recovered from the chamber, from directly inside the basement window where Mr. Catchings had been hiding, according to police. Mr. Catchings was transported to the Park Forest Police Department.
Municipal Citation: Public Intoxication
Christopher J. Lerohl, 39, 24 Ash St., Park Forest, was issued a municipal citation on June 24 charging public intoxication when police responded to Court A-1 on Ash Street to investigate a report of an intoxicated subject.
This report is a follow-up to an incident already reported by eNews Park Forest when a Flossmoor man was arrested and charged with one count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The previous report did not indicate a charge or citation regarding Mr. Lerohl, but his name was listed in the report as an alleged offender. Police sent the updated information the request of eNews Park Forest.
Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm
Angel C. Atkins, 29, 221 Arcadia St., Park Forest, was arrested on June 25 and originally charged with reckless discharge of a firearm but later indicted on two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm after police responded to the 200 block of Arcadia Street to investigate a report of a man who had been shot by a woman.
Dispatch advised police that the woman later put the firearm in the house and that the man was sitting inside a car outside the residence.
The responding officer observed Ms. Atkins come to the front door of the residence. Ms. Atkins related that she lived at that residence. She allegedly related that she had been arguing with her ex-boyfriend for the past two days and that the two were physically fighting when the police were called.
Police spoke with the alleged victim who said that he and Ms. Atkins had been arguing all day. At one point, according to police, Ms. Atkins went into the house and brought out a gun and allegedly shot it at him. The bullet did not hit the man, according to police. At this point, the alleged victim called the police.
Officers located a spent showcasing on the driveway which they recovered and entered into evidence. Ms. Atkins was placed under arrest and transported to the Park Forest Police Department pending processing, according to police.
