Police Report a Rash of Thefts from Unlocked Cars

The following incidents and arrests were reported by the Downers Grove Police Department:

Monday, March 28

1:08 p.m.: Five gallons of gas valued at $19 was taken from a car in the 5300 block of Fairmount Avenue between 8 a.m. March 14 and 12:30 p.m. March 28. The owner said the car isn’t driven often and he noticed the gas missing when he tried to start the car. Police said dried splash marks were noticeable below the gas cap.  

Tuesday, March 29

10:17 a.m.: Eggs were thrown at a house in the 6800 block of Meadowcrest Drive overnight and caused $100 in damage to vinyl siding above the garage door. Police said egg also fell on the hood of a car parked by the garage.

4:06 p.m.: A white duffel bag was taken from the trunk of an unlocked car in the 200 block of 6th Street between 10 p.m. March 28 and 9 a.m. March 29.

6:18 p.m. Natividad Ramirez-Maya, 25, of Lombard and Lucia Soreque-Bautista, 24, of Lombard were charged with retail theft at Kohl’s, 2920 Finley Road, after allegedly placing items valued at $428 in their purses. A loss prevention employee observed Ramirez- Maya allegedly remove a sensor tag from a piece of clothing before placing it in her purse. Police said the employee then followed the women as they walked throughout the two levels of the store and observed them allegedly place clothing, jewelry, shoes and cologne in their purses. The two were stopped outside of the store and police were called.

9:58 p.m.: A window was broken and an in-dash stereo valued at $180 was taken from a car at XSport Fitness, 3200 Finley Road, between 7:15 p.m. and 9:55 p.m. Damage is estimated at $200.

Wednesday, March 30

9:16 a.m.: A driver’s side mirror on a car parked in the street at Forest Hill Apartments, 4910 Forest Ave., was damaged between 11 p.m. March 29 and 9 a.m. March 30. Police said it is unknown if the mirror was damaged by an object or by another car passing on the street. Damage is estimated at $250.

7:33 p.m.: A GPS valued at $299 was reported missing from a car in the 700 block of Grant Avenue. The owner told police the GPS was under the passenger seat on March 27 and believes it was taken between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. March 30 when the car was unlocked.

A string of thefts from unlocked cars  in the area occurred between 10 p.m. March 29 and 5 a.m. March 30. Below are details from the reports:

• 7 a.m.: Music CDs valued at $2, and $1 in change was taken in the 5400 block of Fairmount Avenue.  
• 7:18 a.m.: Music CDs valued at $7, $21 in cash and two center console trays valued at $25 were taken from two trucks in the 5300 block of Grand Avenue. Police said nothing was missing from a third car that was ransacked at the home.  
• 10:07 a.m.: A GPS valued at $100 and $1 in coins was taken in the 5400 block of Benton Avenue.
• 5:13 p.m.: Six cars parked at two houses in the 5300 block of Grand Avenue were ransacked and a GPS valued at $130, $5 in change, an IPass and iPhone adaptor were taken. 

Patch reports on law enforcement activity in our town, using information provided by official agencies. Persons charged with a crime or issued a citation for violation of a local ordinance are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If you or a family member are charged with a crime or cited for a violation and the charge or citation is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor of this Patch at elaine@Patch.com so we can follow up on the case.