A winter past at the Park Forest Police Station. (Photo: Gary Kopycinski)
Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)–Editor’s Note: We continue our reporting on news from police reports. Besides covering the many stories from around Park Forest that otherwise might go unnoticed, we want to bring more complete coverage of police reports than is reported by other local media.
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 708-748-1309l.
Aaron Johnson, 21, 138 Hay St, Park Forest, was arrested on January 12 and charged with obstructing identification and improper walking in the roadway when an officer saw three subjects allegedly walking in the middle of the 100 block of Hay Street on January 12.
Debra Coffet, 58, 185 Ash St., Park Forest, was arrested on January 17 and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, driving in the wrong lane, and improper parking on a roadway when an officer observed that the vehicle Coffet was driving was facing northbound in the southbound lanes of Western Avenue just North of Hemlock Street. According to police, the vehicle was parked, running, with both driver’s side tires over the curb and on the snowy grass. Upon approaching the vehicle, police observed that the vehicle was in "drive" and that the break was not being applied. Coffet was asleep at the wheel, according to police.
Jose G. Alvarez-Alvarez, 24, 433 Navajo St, Park Forest, was arrested on January 18 and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, alcohol concentration in breath of .08 or more, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle when police were dispatched to the 400 block of Sauk Trail to assist the Park Forest Fire Department with an unresponsive subject in a vehicle parked in the parking lot. According to police, a breath test revealed that Alvarez had a blood alcohol count of .171.
Anthony D. Burton, 23, 435 Talala St., Park Forest, was arrested on January 19 and charged with possession of cannabis when police were dispatched to the first block of East Rocket Circle to investigate a report of a suspicious vehicle. The vehicle was seized by the Park Forest Police Department per local ordinance.
An outside central air-conditioning unit valued at approximately $1200 was reported stolen from a residence in the first block of East Rocket Circle on January 19.
Stephen L. Banks Jr., 22, 723 Red Oak Ln., University Park, was arrested on January 20 and issued municipal citations charging illegal cell phone use and possession of drug paraphernalia when an officer on patrol on Meota Street at Sauk Trail observed the driver of a vehicle, later identified as Banks, driving with a cell phone device in his right hand at eye level, according to police.
Robert L. Betts, 38, 14604 Kenwood St., Dolton, was arrested on January 20 and charged with one count of felony retail theft when police responded to a business in the 100 block of South Orchard Drive to investigate a report of retail theft.
A basement bathroom window and a glass shower door of a residence in the 200 block of Indianwood Boulevard were reported shattered on January 21.
Anthony R. Nelson, 20, 4876 W. 24th St., Gary, IN, was arrested on January 22 and charged with felony possession of cannabis over 30 g, driving while license was suspended, improper use of registration, and no valid insurance when an officer patrolling on Sauk Trail near Orchard Boulevard observed the vehicle Nelson was driving allegedly drive suspiciously behind the officer. According to police, the officer observed the vehicle to the rear and right of his vehicle approaching and then slowed down to stay behind the officer. The officer slowed down his vehicle to 25 mph and the vehicle behind him also slowed down. The officer then slowed to 20 mph and then 15 mph, and the vehicle slowed again, not passing. According to police, the vehicle then sped up, passed the officer’s vehicle. Upon checking the Indiana license, the officer learned that the license plate came back to a different make of vehicle then the one Nelson was driving. A passenger in the vehicle, Michael D. Tolliver, 25, 1715 Hayes St., Gary, IN, was charged with felony possession of cannabis over 30 g and also processed on an outstanding warrant out of Cook County.
An orange and tan Fender Stratocaster guitar with a replacement value of $1000 was reported stolen during a residential burglary at a residence in the 200 block of Lee Street on January 23.
Purvis A. Ingram, 35, 22127 Belmont Rd., Richton Park, was arrested on January 24 and charged with possession of cannabis, obstructing identification, and resisting arrest when an officer patrolling on Western Avenue near Court E-8 attempted to question Ingram while the officer was investigating a separate case.
Park Forest police were dispatched to the 100 block of Birch Street to investigate a report of an armed robbery on January 24 at 10:26 PM. The victim’s related that, after pulling into Court B-6, a male subject came up to them and said, "Give me all your f—ing money." One of the victims attempted to hand over money from his wallet when the money fell to the ground. The offender than related, "Now pick it up, and give me the f—ing money or I’ll f—ing shoot her," pointing a gun at the second victim. After the victims gave the offender money, one of them said, "Sorry about that. Please don’t shoot us." The offender allegedly responded, "I’m sorry about this to. I’m from out of town and need to get back." The offender is identified as a black male, between 5’10" and 6 feet tall, wearing a brown jacket, possibly a Carhart, a black hat, and displaying a black semi-automatic pistol in his right hand.
An officer responded to the Park Forest Police Department on January 24 to investigate a report of credit card fraud. The victim reported losing her debit card while shopping at a business in the first block of Main Street. She was then contacted by her bank regarding suspicious activity on the account.
Police responded to the first block of Dogwood Street on January 24 to investigate a burglary to a motor vehicle complaint. According to police, the owner of the vehicle observed that the passenger’s side door was ajar and unlocked, the glove compartment was open, and all belongings inside the vehicle were scattered on the floorboard and front seats. Nothing was reported stolen from the vehicle. Police say there were no signs of forced entry and the vehicle may have been left unlocked.
A rear door window pane of a residence in the 100 block of Chestnut Street was reported damaged on January 25. Additionally, the outside air-conditioning unit, located in the rear of the residence, was tipped over and damaged, according to police. The air-conditioning unit was still attached to the residence, according to police.
