Marijuana Possession, Retail Theft, Car Burglaries: Police Blotter

MONDAY, AUG. 20

Driving Under the Influence of Drugs

Raymond E. Lange, 61, of the 2200 bock of Jefferson Street in Joliet, was arrested near Katrine and Wisconsin, police said. He was charged with driving under the influence of drugs, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, unlawful possession of cannabis, defective windshield and operating an uninsured vehicle.

Retail Theft at Kohl's

Thomas D. Kowalski, 51, of the 6200 block of Janes Avenue in Downers Grove, was arrested around 6:55 p.m. at Kohl's, 2920 Finley Road,  said.

A loss prevention employee told police he was watching the floor when he saw Kowalski take a paper out of his pocket, grab a Bissell vacuum cleaner and walk out of the store. Kowalski was stopped outside the store and asked to show the paper, which was a receipt from another vacuum cleaner he purchased much earlier, police said.

Kowalski was charged with one count of retail theft. He was issued a Sept. 26 court date.

Stolen Lightning Rods

Forty lightning rods were stolen from a parking deck in the 1900 block of Butterfield Road, police said. They were reportedly stolen some time between Aug. 1 and Aug. 20.

Stolen Iron Boot Scraper

An antique iron boot scraper valued at $200 was stolen from a front porch in the 4100 block of Main Street some time beween Aug. 6 and Aug. 20, police said. No other items were stolen, and no forced entry was attempted on the house.

Car Burglary on Seeley Avenue

A car was burglarized overnight in the in the 4700 block of Seeley Avenue, police said. An AT&T cell phone was stolen, but a GPS and three rolls of coins valuing $30 were left in the vehicle.

SUNDAY, AUG. 19

Theft at McCollum Park

A cell phone was stolen from McCollum Park, 6801 Main St., around 5:30 p.m., police said.

SATURDAY, AUG. 18

Retail Theft at Fry's

Zhong M. Chen, 24, of the 2900 block of S. Haynes Court in Chicago, was arrested around 8 p.m. at Fry's Electronics, 3300 Finley Road, police said. 

A loss prevention officer told police he observed Chen concealing a solar charger and a battery and attempting to leave the store.

Zhong was charged with misdemeanor retail theft, police said. He was issued a Sept. 26 court date.

Car Burglary on Ridgewood Circle

A car parked in the 1400 block of Ridgewood Circle was burglarized some time between 11:30 a.m. and 10:45 p.m., police said. A GPS device, CDs, an iPod docking station and a CD carrying case were stolen from the console and glove box.

Car Burglary on Stanley Avenue

A car parked in the 4500 block of Stanley Avenue was burglarized some time between 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., police said. A Vera Bradley purse, a Victoria's Secret swimsuit, cigars and a wedding DVD were stolen from the vehicle.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 15

Marijuana Possession

Bradley T. Blechschmidt, 18, of the 5700 block of Elm Street in Lisle, was arrested around 9:26 p.m. after a traffic stop near Main and 67th streets, police said.

According the report, police were traveling southbound on Belmont Road near 63rd Street in an unmarked Chevy Impala when a black Nissan was seen changing lanes quickly from the inside left turn lane to the outside left turn lane. The Nissan cut in front of the police vehicle without using a signal for the lane change. The driver stopped at the red light at 63rd Street and Belmont Road, and could barely open his eyes, police said.

After police stopped the vehicle, the driver, identified as Blechschmidt, was shaking throughout his arms, hands and fingers while still inside his car, police said. Blechschmidt opened the glove compartment and began throwing paperwork on top of a backpack in front of the passenger seat, accoding to the report. Police said they searched the backpack and found a glass jar with marijuana, which was later weighed at 13.6 grams.

Blechschmidt was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis (10-30 grams), and was issued a traffic citation for the improper turn, police said.

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