Man Attempts to Invoke "Double Jeopardy" While Being Arrested for Theft

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

Retail Theft

Gary Reid II, 20-years-old of 651 Summit in Downers Grove, was charged with retail theft after attempted to steal a bottle of Svedka Vodka from Dominicks on Ogden Avenue December 1. Loss Prevention officers observed Reid enter the store, head to the liquor department, and put the bottle of vodka into his pants. After Reid exited without paying, Loss Prevention attempted to detain Reid, but Reid tried to pull away and a “scuffle” ensued until Reid was ultimately detained with the help of a separate individual. When DGPD arrived, the vodka was not on Reid's person, and Reid said he put the vodka back on the shelf before leaving the store. The store manager and DGPD couldn't find any evidence of Reid putting it back, but DGPD determined there was no probable cause for arrest, and Reid was released. DGPD asked Reid to take them to where he put the vodka back, and Reid led them to an area of the liquor department where the vodka was on the shelf. As DGPD exited the store a Dominicks employee walked into the store with the bottle of vodka, which was found in a landscaping median in the parking lot, in the same general area the “scuffling” occurred. Officers saw Reid walking away from Dominicks and asked him to stop, but he wouldn't, and after being asked again, he took off running. After being asked a third time, Reid stopped, and was placed under arrest for retail theft. However, Reid told the officer he couldn't be arrested because he was already placed under arrest and released and if placed under arrest again it would be considered Double Jeopardy. Reid was taken to DGPD and processed.

Battery

Innocent banter during a competitive game escalated into a fight between two boys after gym class at Downers North on November 21. Both kids were ultimately brought to the DGPD so the kids could be charged with one count of disorderly conduct—fighting.

Possession of Alcohol by a Minor

DGPD responded to a call from Downers South of a student under the influence of alcohol November 30 at 10 a.m.. DGPD was told the student had gotten physically ill in one of the girls' second floor bathrooms, and when DGPD arrived and spoke to the student in the nurse's office, responding officers detected a strong smell of alcohol on the student's breath. The school contacted the student's guardian who came and took custody of the student, and arrangements were made for the guardian to bring the student to the DGPD to be processed after being charged with Possession of Alcohol by a Minor (through consumption).

Driving While License Revoked

Officers were made aware of an anonymous Crimstopper tip involving a revoked driver employed in the 5100 block of Belmont. The tip provided the driver's name and type of car he would be driving. A DGPD officer was also given a photo of the driver and a LEADS printout confirming the driving privileges were revoked. An officer traveled to the address given and located the car. Later, while conducting radar patrols, the officer saw the vehicle leave the parking lot and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Clifton Mottl, 33 of 2379 Sunrise Court in Aurora, told the officer he didn't have a driver's license on him and when asked for name and date of birth, Mottl told police his name was Curtiss Motll. The officer rechecked the photo, confirmed it was Clifton, and told Mottl he knew his name was Clifton and not Curtiss. Mottl confessed. The state's attorney approved a felony charge of Aggravated Driving While License Revoked due to the fact Mottl had been convicted at least two times before for Driving While License Revoked. Mottl was booked, charged, and transferred to DuPage County Jail.

Criminal Trespass to State Supported Property

David Braden, 50 of 703 W. Liberty Street in Wheaton, was arrested twice within twelve hours for Criminal Trespass to State Supported Property after being caught on Downers North property by DGPD. The first time, on December 1 around 8 p.m., Braden was found near a heating vent with his clothing, Playboy magazine, and open bottles of alcohol on the ground around him. At the time, Braden was watching the girls gymnastics team inside of the gym. Officers reminded Braden he was not allowed to be on the property, as he had been told several times before. Due to alcohol consumption and/or mental health issues, Braden was unable to have a conversation with officers, but was talking to himself. Approximately 11 hours later, Braden was again found at North, sleeping under a heat vent. Braden stated he was sleeping there because he was cold. He was placed into custody again for criminal trespass and was also charged with violation of bail bond since it was approximately 11 hours since his last arrest. Braden was transferred to DuPage County Jail.

Burglary From Motor Vehicle

A purse and its contents were stolen from an unlocked car parked in the parking lot of Taco Bell on Lemont Road around 3:30 p.m. December 2. According to the complainant, who was in the restaurant with her husband and grandchildren, no one else was in the restaurant while they were eating, they ate near the window and their car was also parked near the window. They never saw anything suspicious.

Theft Under $500

A woman's wallet was stolen from her purse inside of her shopping cart at Bed Bath and Beyond on Butterfield around 4:30 p.m. December 2. The woman told police she thinks it may have been stolen while she was talking to someone about a coffeemaker, and that person's friend was on his cellphone behind the woman. When reviewing the security footage, the woman saw the person she believed was on the cellphone, but the person appeared to be with someone other than the person who was asking the questions about the coffeemaker.

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 Robert.Bykowski@Patch.com so we can follow up on the case.