Silverware and Coins Taken in Daytime Burglary

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

Man charged with retail theft

James V. Hoffman, 44, of Lemont was charged with retail theft after taking DVDs and Nintendo DS games valued at $131 from Toys R Us, 1540 75th St., on July 15. A loss prevention employee observed Hoffman from the security office as he allegedly took items from the shelf and concealed them his clothing. The employee left the security office, stood next to Hoffman and heard him rip the security stickers off the items before he exited the store. The employee stopped Hoffmann outside the store and told police he cooperated when asked to return to the store.

Public drinking at train depot

Cecil A. Downs, 46, of Downers Grove was charged with drinking in public at the Fairview train station, 5099 Fairview Ave., at 3 p.m. July 15. An officer on patrol saw Downs drinking from a cup in the north train shelter, approached and asked Downs if he was drinking. Downs responded he was not and said the cup that was now under the bench was there when he arrived. When the officer told Downs he saw him drinking from the cup, Downs admitted the cup containing beer was his and that he had tried to hide the beer by pouring it in a cup.

Daytime burglary of silverware and coins

A resident in the 1800 block of Gilbert Avenue discovered a burglary had occurred at her home between 9 a.m., when her partner left the home, and 5 p.m. July 15, when she returned home from work. She entered the home through the kitchen, saw a broken window panel in the living room, and left the home to call police. Police completed a search of the home when they arrived, noting that several dresser drawers had been had been pulled out and rifled. It was determined that Reed and Barton silverware valued at $255 was taken from the living room and $100 in coins were taken from the master bedroom. Police said another bedroom in the home and a television in the den appeared to be undisturbed.

American flag taken from pole

A resident in the 600 block of Grant Street reported an American flag valued at $35 was taken from a pole attached to a front yard tree between 8 p.m. July 15 and 12 p.m. July 16.

Car parked at business overnight damaged

The front passenger side mirror of a car parked in front of Readings by Angelica, 5109 Belmont Road, was broken between midnight and 6 p.m. July 16. Damage was estimated at $150.

Retail theft of bedding

Nazma Junard, 64, of Villa Park was charged with retail theft after allegedly taking two pillow shams and a pillowcase valued at $34.98 from TJ Maxx Home Goods, 7349 Lemont Road, on July 17. A security agent at the store observed Junard allegedly place the items in her purse, then pay for other items and leave the store. The agent stopped Junard in the parking lot and called police.

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.