Law and Order, Downers Grove Style

Downers Grove isn't a hotbed of criminal activity, but we have our share of incidents, as well as the occasional compelling civil case. Here's the rundown of high profile arrests and decisions for 2010.

1. Village, Former Manager Settle Lawsuit

Former Village Manager Cara Pavlicek agreed in December 2009 to settle her lawsuit against the village for $73,000 and a written reference on village letterhead. Pavlicek had served as the village's top administrator from Nov. 14, 2005, until she was fired on May 20, 2008. Her suit charged the village with breach of her employment status and violations under the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act and requested a jury trial and compensation of more than $150,000.

2. Court Upholds Woodridge's Right to Purchase District 99 Land

The Illinois Appellate Court upheld the Village of Woodridge's right to purchase for $14.2 million a 45-acre parcel owned by Community High School District 99. The decision affirmed a 2007 ruling which allowed Woodridge to obtain the land through eminent domain and prompted the school board to abandon further litigation. The board announced the proceeds would fund capital projects.

3. DG Man Arrested in Wyoming for Slaying of Pregnant Wife

More than two months after he allegedly had stabbed his pregnant wife to death on their daughter's fourth birthday, Eric Gifford, 31, was arrested Aug. 6 at a homeless shelter in Wyoming. Kristin Gifford was five months pregnant when she was killed in the Villa Park apartment she shared with her daughter and a friend.

4. DG Police Officer Charged in Plot Against Drug Dealer

Officer Randall Caudill Jr., a nine-year veteran of the Downers Grove Police Department, was charged in July with plotting with an undercover officer and an informant to rob a suspected drug dealer of thousands of dollars in cash during a routine traffic stop. Caudill also was charged with four counts of official misconduct.

5. Former Panther Footbal Treasurer Charged with Embezzlement

Theresa Carlquist was charged with felony theft and embezzlement after a nine-month investigation discovered $112,000 missing from the Downers Grove Panthers Junior Football checking account. Carlquist, the league's former volunteer treasurer, was removed from her position after Panther officials
uncovered discrepancies in the organization's finances. Carlquist allegedly had written checks to herself in amounts of up to $8,500.

6. Man Arrested After 8-Hour Standoff

 was arrested Oct. 6 after holding police at bay for eight hours while he remained barricaded in a home in the 4100 block of Highland Avenue. The incident had prompted Downers Grove Grade School District 58 to arrange for the safe exit of students from Highland School, which was located within two blocks of the residence Robbin shared with his girlfriend.

7. Police Arrest Five in Prostitution Bust

Following an investigation prompted by prostitution ads on backpage.com, Downers Grove police charged a Franklin Park woman with prostitution at the Red Roof Inn, 1113 Butterfield Road, Juy 29. Police also charged three men with solicitation of a sexual act and a fourth man for driving with a suspended license and the illegal transport of alcohol.

8. DGS Secretary Charged with Stealing Variety Show Proceeds

Darien resident, secretary to the South High School activities director, was charged with felony theft Oct. 15, after the school discovered approximately $4,000 was missing from receipts of the school's Homecoming Variety Show. Kadlec later returned the funds.

9. Clothing Theft Ring Steals $42,000 from Local Store

A Chicago woman was arrested for stealing $454.65. in clothing from the T.J. Maxx store. Marshelia Williams-Burnett allegedly worked with an employee to remove sensor tags from garments, then return them for cash. The pair had stolen more than $42,000 in items over the past year, according to Downers Grove police reports.

10. Former DG Man Convicted in Salt Lake City Bombing

Former Downers Grove resident , 56, was convicted Oct. 4 in U.S. District Court of exploding a pipe bomb at a Salt Lake City library in 2006.His sentencing, originally set for Dec. 16, has been delayed to February 2011.

In 2004, Downers Grove Police had charged Zajac with disorderly conduct relating to harassing communications. On Aug. 9, 2004, a bomb was discovered on Main Street in Downers Grove. A wiring error prevented it from exploding. No charges were filed in that incident, although Zajac was considered a person of interest.