Why Many Change Pants After Checking In ELMHURST, May 19—A California man was arrested at 12:30 a.m. in the parking lot near Extended Stay America, 550 W. Grand Ave. A patrolling officer saw Ronald E. Murphy, 55, of Needles, CA, standing outside his silver Kia Optima changing his pants. He told police he was driving to California from New York and was changing his clothes before staying the night at the hotel. Police said he agreed to a search of his car, and they found 4.3 grams of cannabis, a .22 caliber rifle, a .44 revolver and a .22 semi-automatic pistol. Murphy was taken into custody, …

Was His Dog a Pointer, Too? ELMHURST, April 27—An elderly man became involved in a dispute with the staff at PetCo, 199 S. Route 83, after his dog was groomed and he was given a bill of $51. The man reportedly became verbally abusive and started swearing, then he gave the female clerk a check for $45 and said that was all he was going to pay. He reportedly was pointing his finger at her very closely. She obtained his license plate number, and police attempted to contact him. Police will follow up. Sometimes the Weekend Bites LA GRANGE, April 25—A woman reported that her husband brought home a…

Phony Franklin Face Smoother than Spender's GLEN ELLYN, April 13—The Chamber of Commerce warned merchants that a counterfeit $100 bill had turned up at a business in town. The man who allegedly spent the counterfeit bill was described as 60, white, with blond or gray hair and a bad complexion. Not Lovin' It LA GRANGE, April 11—A 22-year-old man and 20-year-old woman who were arguing at about 12:31 a.m. at McDonald’s, 100 N. LaGrange Rd., were sent on their way by police. Sometimes It's Not the Mailman ELMHURST, April 9—At 9:58 p.m. a resident of the 200 block of East Wilson Street reported …

Hiccup in the Pickup for "Transporter" ELMHURST, March 29—The general manager of Ed Napleton Acura, 745 W. Lake St., reported that he received an order to release a vehicle for auction at 2:20 p.m. He had been made aware of a scam in which dealerships are given false orders to release vehicles, then dealers would release the vehicles to people representing themselves as "transporters." When the "transporter" showed up, a salesperson asked the subject, described as a  30-year-old black man, 5-foot-10-inches tall, 160 pounds with a scraggly beard, for his drivers license. The man left and never…

Green Thumb: Yes, Handyman: No CLARENDON HILLS, March 24—The tenant of a residence in the 5900 block of Clarendon Hills Road called his landlord to complain about a water leak. While checking out the leak, the landlord noticed the windows were covered with condensation and there were a large number of green leafy plants growing in the house, with lights on them. The landlord called police. After obtaining a search warrant, the Sheriff's Tactical Narcotics Team recovered more than 400 marijuana plants throughout the home. The tenant, Stephen M. Baker, 43, was charged with a felony for …

The Night has Many Eyes LA GRANGE, March 18—A woman living in the 400 block of Ashland Avenue reported seeing a man and woman on a porch possibly engaging in indecent activity in public at about 1:48 a.m. The two ran west on Goodman Avenue and a police officer found a 20-year-old man at 47th Street and Ashland and brought him home to Western Springs. Spring Cleaning HINSDALE, March 9—Thirty used motor vehicle tires were found dumped in the parking lot of Firestone Tire, 150 E. Ogden Ave. It is believed the illegal dumping occurred between 7:30 p.m. March 9 and 6:30 a.m. March 11. There are no…

Incontiquential Crime DOWNERS GROVE, March 9—At 2:16 p.m. Nicholas J. Cary, 18, of Aurora was charged with retail theft after allegedly taking four packages of diapers valued at $80 from Jewel-Osco, 1148 Ogden Ave. No Tip for Housekeeping DOWNERS GROVE, March 9—A guest at the Comfort Inn, 3010 Finley Rd., reported $200 missing from her room. Police said the guest hid the money inside a drawer in the room at 3 p.m. March 7 and discovered it missing at noon March 9. The guest reported she spoke with management about the incident, but wanted it documented by police. Room with a Phew LA GRANGE, …

Coming Soon to Ghost Hunters LA GRANGE, March 1—A woman living in the 100 block of north Edgewood Lane told police at about 1:11 p.m. that she believed someone was in her home and she and her son were hiding in an upstairs bedroom. She had been hearing banging noises downstairs. An officer checked the exterior and interior of the home and said it was secure. It was unknown what caused the noise, according to police. Plucky Poultry Prompts Police Pursuit LA GRANGE, Feb. 28—A woman living in the 200 block of south Spring Avenue reported seeing a live chicken in her driveway at about 8 a.m. A …

Too Late in the Evening for, "Honey, I'm Home" LA GRANGE, Feb. 22—Police investigating a call of a possible intruder on the main floor of a home in the 200 block of south Sixth Avenue at about 10:49 p.m. said they found a husband who had gone on a business trip, but turned around midway because of bad road conditions and came home. His wife and daughter had been hiding in an upstairs bedroom. What to Do if Baby's Bald, with Yellow Teeth? DOWNERS GROVE, Feb. 19—Items valued at $730 were reported taken at 8:56 p.m. from Jewel-Osco, 1148 Ogden Ave., by a woman identified by a loss prevention …

Following Up on Valentine's Day ELMHURST, Feb. 16—A 15-year-old boy was arrested after he was seen taking three pregnancy test kits from their packages and placing them into his coat at Jewel, 944 S. York Rd. Waiting for a Ride DOWNERS GROVE, Feb. 15—At 12:43 p.m. a Toyota Sienna was stolen after it was left unlocked and idling at 7-Eleven, 4240 Main St., while the owner went into the store to use the restroom. Witnesses reported seeing two men in their early 20s sitting inside the store near the front window about 25 minutes before the car sped from the parking lot, police said. The men were…

Snow's only silent when it falls LA GRANGE, Feb. 9—A neighbor of Seventh Avenue School complained to police about loud truck noise at about 12:53 a.m. Police said a dump truck had been in the parking lot of the school since at least 7:15 p.m. removing snow and putting it on the soccer field to make more room for cars. Police were told at 12:53 a.m. that the truck would finish in 15 minutes and continue later. Does that snow pile look familiar? LA GRANGE, Feb. 7—A  man told police he had parked his car in front of La Grange Village Hall and it was not there at 5:39 p.m. The vehicle was located…

A Plumber Pointing a Pipe? ELMHURST, Feb. 3—A man with a gun in the area of the 900 block of North York Road was reported to police at 4:58 p.m. The man was a passenger in a white plumbing truck. He allegedly got out of the truck and pointed a gun at someone in another vehicle. Elk Grove Village police stopped a vehicle matching the description of the truck. The occupants admitted they were involved in a road rage incident, but they were released on the scene because no gun was found. Penmanship is a Lost Art DOWNERS GROVE, Jan. 30—A homeowner in the 500 block of Indianapolis Avenue reported …

Could Have Been Worse. Could Have Been a Rolling Stone. LA GRANGE, Jan. 24—A Honda Odyssey collided with a “random” rolling spare tire in the roadway at Cossitt Avenue and Park Road at about 7:49 p.m., according to La Grange police. No one was injured. These Hiking Boots Were Made for Walking LA GRANGE, Jan. 23—A cab driver told police he brought a man from Berwyn to La Grange at about 9:09 p.m.  Upon arrival, the man ran out without paying the $12 fare. The man was described as 40 to 50 years old, 5-foot-8, medium build, having a grey beard and wearing a red ski hat and tan hiking boots. …

Eat Enough Burritos and You'll Look Big as a Wolf LA GRANGE, Jan. 19—Two wolves were seen walking north in the 1000 block of Madison Avenue at about 7:47 p.m. according to La Grange police. Burritos Today, Chihuahuas Tomorrow LA GRANGE, Jan. 19—An unspecified number of people seen at about 7:16 a.m.  at Beach and Shawmut avenues told a La Grange police officer that they were leaving burritos for coyotes. She's Not Running with that Bull LA GRANGE, Jan. 17—A La Grange woman told police she suspected a scam in regard to a letter she received Jan. 17 from someone in Madrid, Spain, asking her to …

Maybe There's Too Much Violence on the Food Network LA GRANGE, Jan. 9—A woman living in the 400 block of south Edgewood Avenue told police that between 6:30 and 10:30 p.m. someone threw ketchup and bologna on her front porch and hamburgers, French fries, salads and other food items covering her yard. Ideal Fruit Cocktail for the Next Block Party DOWNERS GROVE, Jan. 9—A resident came to the police station to report vandalism at his home in the 7100 block of Matthias Road. The resident brought in two tangerines taped to a banana, which he said he found on his porch after his doorbell rang the …

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Retail DOWNERS GROVE, Jan. 5—The Walgreens drug store at 6240 Belmont Road was robbed of $191 at 6:40 p.m. after a man who had been standing in line uttered profanities and ordered the clerk—who was working his first day on the job—to open the register, threatening,  “I’ll stab you in the jugular and all your blood will be on the ground in four minutes.” Seeing a bulge in the man's coat, the clerk and another employee who was training him behind the register, handed over the money. The employee told police the man refused to take the coins from the register …

It's Illegal to Impersonate Grandpa DOWNERS GROVE, Dec. 27—Downers Grove Police issued 33 citations and confiscated three disabled placards during a weeklong operation focusing on handicapped parking spaces. Enforcement was conducted Dec. 13-20 at major shopping malls, to assist the disabled and elderly during the holiday season. Nine written and 15 verbal warnings were also issued. Motorists are reminded that the person to whom the placard or plates are registered must enter or leave the vehicle parked in a handicapped space. Unauthorized use can result in a $500 fine, driver's license …