Car Burglaries, DUI Arrests, Homemade Bombs: Police Blotter

MONDAY, SEPT. 3

Mischief/Homemade Bombs

Police were called to the 4600 block of Middaugh Avenue around 8:45 p.m. for a report of a "MacGyver" type bomb in the front yard of a residence.

The officer spoke with the resident, who said she and her family had just returned home after spending Labor Day weekend out of state. The woman said she noticed a "small, homemade-type bomb" that had detonated on the sidewalk in front of her home. The plastic bottle had melted due to the explosion, or chemical reaction, police said.

The woman told police a similar homemade bomb was found in front of her home three weeks prior, and another was found on Sept. 1.

Car Burglary at Prentiss Creek

A car was burglarized overnight near the Prentiss Creek building, located in the 2100 block of Prentiss Drive, police said. An MP3 player and $15 cash were stolen from the center console of the vehicle.

Criminal Damage to Property

A window was damaged on a residence in the 7100 block of Blackburn Avenue sometime between 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 2 and 4 p.m. on Sept. 3. Police said the damage was likely caused by a BB or pellet gun.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 2

DUI

Jose L. Gomez-Garcia, 34, of the 1400 block of Sterling Avenue in Joliet, was arrested around 5 p.m. near Cass and Ogden avenues, police said. He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane usage and no valid driver's license. He was issued an Oct. 10 court date.

Stolen Backpack

A backpack was stolen from outside Marathon, 1201 Ogden Ave., while the owner went inside to buy a beverage, police said. A new Samsung mobile phone was in the bag.

Broken Car Window

A rock was thrown through a car window in the 1000 block of Norfolk Street overnight, police said.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 1

Car Burglary on Finley Road

A car was burglarized overnight in the 3100 block of Finley Road, police said. The passenger side door was punched in, and a Dewalt 12-inch chop saw was missing from the back.

DUI

Santos Zavala, 27, of the 800 block of Foxworth Boulevard in Lombard, was arrested around 3:14 a.m. near Butterfield Road and Downers Drive, police said. He was charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, aggravated DUI and obstructing identification. He was issued an Oct. 10 court date.

FRIDAY, AUG. 31

Fence Stolen from McCollum Park

A fence gate was stolen overnight from the fenced-in children's playground at McCollum Park, 6801 Main St., police said.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 29

Drinking in Public

Lawrence C. Brownfield, 28, of the 400 block of Franklin Street in Downers Grove, was arrested around 9:06 p.m. near the Fairview Depot, 5099 Fairview Ave. He was cited with drinking in public after police observed him drinking a 24-ounce can of Natty Daddy beer, according to the report.

TUESDAY, AUG. 28

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Liam C. McKenna, 18, of the 4700 block of Northcott Avenue in Downers Grove, was arrested around 9:38 a.m. in front of a closed business in the 4100 block of Fairview Avenue, police said. 

Police said they found McKenna and another male subject sitting in the vehicle. When the officer approached, he detected a faint odor of burnt cannabis and cigars from the inside of the car, according to the report. After searching the vehicle, police found an empty prescription pill bottle with cannabis residue, as well as a blue digital scale, two rolling paper packages and a black metal grinder, police said.

McKenna was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. He was issued an Oct. 3 court date.

Looking for more Downers Grove crime news?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

There are plenty of ways to keep up on  news:

• Sign up for our daily email newsletter

• Like us on Facebook for a slightly different take.