Updated May 30, 2015
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. Please send proof of the disposition of a case to [email protected].
Persons wishing to leave anonymous information on any criminal matters including narcotics or gang activity are encouraged to call 708-748-1309l.
Windshield Shattered
The windshield of a vehicle parked in the 300 block of Shabbona Drive was reported shattered by a brick on September 26. There was also a dent in the hood of the vehicle.
Possession of Cannabis
Brandon C. Oneal, 22, 1873 W. Salem Ct., Apt. 301, Lansing, IL, was arrested on September 27 and issued a municipal citation charging possession of cannabis and local ordinance citations charging operating a vehicle with expired registration and operation of an uninsured motor vehicle when an officer on patrol ran a check on the vehicle Oneal was driving as he pulled out of the Marathon gas station, turning southbound onto Blackhawk Drive. The officer discovered that the registration of the vehicle expired as of 08/2015, according to police.
Wallet Stolen
A wallet was reported stolen from the front desk of a business in the 100 block of Main Street on September 28.
Report of Fraud
An officer was summoned to the Park Forest Police Department on September 28 in reference to a report of fraud. A resident told the officer that, while attempting to open a Comcast account for cable service, he was informed by Comcast that an account had already been opened in his name and was in collections. The account was opened and active from April through June 2013 at an address in Chicago, according to police. The resident reported that he has never lived at that address, nor does he know anyone who has lived there.
Possession of Cannabis
Bbing M. Kates, 22442 S. Lawndale Ave., Richton Park, was arrested on September 29 and charged with possession of cannabis, speeding over the statutory limit, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle when an officer traveling westbound on Sauk Trail approaching Westwood Drive observed that the vehicle Kates was driving was traveling 48 mph in a 35 mph zone, according to police. The vehicle Kates was driving was impounded.
Domestic Battery
Asia N. North, 28, 302 Oakwood St., Park Forest, was arrested on September 29 and charged with domestic battery when police were dispatched to the 300 block of Oakwood Street to investigate a report of domestic battery.
Dog Bite
Karin S. Kendrick, 27, 2808 Western Ave., Park Forest, was issued a municipal citation on September 29 charging dog bite – public when an officer was dispatched to the first block of Elm Street to investigate a report of a dog bite.
Car Window Shattered
The passenger window of a vehicle parked in the 200 block of Arrowhead Street was reported to be shattered on September 30. Police have suspect information and are investigating.
Possession of Cannabis
Christopher L. Brand, 22, 156 Nanti St., Park Forest, was arrested on September 30 and charged with possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia when an officer responded to the intersection of Niagara Street and Nashua Street to investigate a report of a vehicle accident. The vehicle in which Brand was a passenger was impounded.
Criminal Damage to Property: CHARGES DROPPED
Rafiya A. Sorthia, 34, 22624 Bass Lake Road, Plainfield, was arrested on October 1 and charged with criminal damage to property when police were dispatched 3600 block of Western Avenue in reference to a report of criminal damage to a vehicle. According to police, witnesses reported seeing Sorthia pull into a court in the 3600 block of Western Avenue, walk around a vehicle which was parked in the court, get back in her car, and drive away. According to police, the witnesses went outside and observed that both right side tires and the left rear tire of the vehicle Sorthia walked around were flat. Sorthia was known to the owner of the vehicle, according to police. In a follow-up to this report, police indicate that the owner of the vehicle found no puncture marks in his tires and it appears the air was let out of them. The owner of the vehicle also related that a letter from Sorthia was left at his house. In the letter, Sorthia allegedly tries to convince the owner of the vehicle that juveniles from the neighborhood let the air out of his tires.
UPDATE May 30, 2019: According to Deputy Chief Paul Winfrey, the charge against Rafiya A. Sorthia was “Stricken on Leave” on October 22, 2015, “effectively dropped with the option to reinstate later. There is no mention of why the State’s Attorney’s Office dropped the charges. Since this is a misdemeanor offense, the statute of limitations would prohibit the charges being refiled. ”
Appliances Stolen
A stove and refrigerator were reported stolen from a residence in the 100 block of Indiana Street on October 1.
Speeding
Telly P. Brookins, 18, 4769 Hickory Creek Dr., Apt. 1, University Park, was arrested on October 1 and issued a traffic citation charging speeding and was also issued a municipal citation charging possession of cannabis when an officer traveling southbound on Western Avenue approaching 26th Street observed the vehicle Brookins was driving northbound on Western Avenue traveling 50 mph in a 35 mph zone, according to police. The vehicle Brookins was driving was impounded.
Battery
Matthew A. Stewart, 20, 77 Water St., Park Forest, was arrested on October 2 and charged with one count of battery when police responded to the 200 block of Blackhawk Drive to investigate a report of battery.
Retail Theft
Police responded to CVS Pharmacy on October 2 to investigate a report of retail theft. According to police, two male subjects entered the store, went to one of the aisles, and removed a pack of cigarette lighters from the shelf. Both subjects then went to the liquor aisle. A witness said that he observed one of the subjects removed a box of Patron Tequila liquor, remove the bottle from the box, and concealed bottle inside his neon colored sweater. The two subjects then walked to the front of the store, passing the cash register and attempted to leave the store without purchasing the items. An employee attempted to stop the subjects as they exited by telling them to stop. Both subjects ran and the one holding the bottle of liquor dropped it on the ground outside, causing it to shatter. One of the subjects was described as a black male, 5’10”, slender build and wearing a neon yellow sweater. The second subject was described as a black male, 5’10”, slender build, wearing a black “Hurley” brand sweater, according to police.
Leaf Blower Stolen
A red and black Craftsman leaf blower valued at $150 was reported stolen from the driveway of a residence in the 300 block of Waverly Street on October 3.
DUI
Kevin D. Hall, 36, 414 155th St., Calumet City, was arrested on October 4 and charged with speeding over the statutory limit, expired registration, driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol count over .08, and driving under the influence of alcohol when an officer traveling southbound on Western Avenue approaching Main Street observed a vehicle traveling northbound on Western Avenue at a speed of 50 mph in a posted 35 mph zone, according to police. According to police, the vehicle was pulled over at approximately 12:32 AM. At 1:28 AM, Hall submitted to a breath test which indicated a BAC of .136, according to police.
Vehicle Window Shattered
The right rear window of a van parked in the 300 block of Sauk Trail was reported shattered on October 5.
