The Most Bizarre Crime News Of 2022 From The Chicago Suburbs

As 2022 comes to a close, Patch is taking a look back at some of the stranger stories that we've shared in Illinois during the year.

Here's a selection, presented in chronological order:

'I'm No Vigilante,' Mayor Says Of Stolen Car Incident
One south suburban mayor accused another of abuse of power while searching for his daughter's stolen car using a GPS tracking device in January.

'I Have The Coronavirus' Teen Who Sprayed Lysol Learns Sentence
Walmart representatives told detectives the damage caused to their produce amounted to more than $7,300 and cleanup efforts cost another $2,400. Sentencing took place in February.

Elmhurst Woman Arrested In Dispute With 'Liberals'
The 42-year-old provided videos to Patch in February showing her cursing two other women, calling one of them ugly and unemployed — but she said there is no proof that she ever spit on them.

Man Caught 'Snorting Cocaine' In Holding Cell: Police
In February, a man arrested after paramedics found a gun in his pant leg picked up a drug charge after authorities said he was using cocaine after being detained by Oak Forest police.

Illinois Congressman's Ex-Staffer Admits To Embezzling Taxpayer Money
A congressman's former director of operations pleaded guilty in April to producing phony paperwork to grant himself massive, unapproved raises from the U.S. House of Representatives.

Wheeling Woman Accused Of Using Golf Club To Hold Up 7-Eleven
A 39-year-old woman was charged with armed robbery with a deadly weapon in connection with the April incident.

Thieves Steal Cash Machine From Skokie Bar In Front Of Patrons: Police
When the patron looked over at the thieves, the one with the dolly reportedly said something like, "Don't worry, we're just working on it."

Man Steals Fire Department Ambulance, Leads Cops On 75-Mile Chase
Police said a stole a Chicago Fire Department ambulance and then led officers on a chase down Interstate 55 that lasted nearly two hours.

---

Passenger Climbs Onto Wing Of Plane At O'Hare, Gets Arrested: Police
In May, a man was arrested after police said he opened the plane’s emergency exit door, climbed out onto the wing of the plane, and slid down to the tarmac.

$7.5 Million In Stolen Items Found In Bust Of Interstate Fencing Ring: Police
After stealing over-the-counter products like allergy medication and tooth whitening strips, shoplifters would bring the stolen goods to storefronts in Chicago and sell it to members of the fencing ring for pennies on the dollar, Wilmette police said in October.

---

Knife-Wielding Serial Bank Robber Switched To Shoplifting Alcohol: FBI
In October, the FBI revealed a suspect in a series of suburban bank robberies was identified, in part, because he allegedly shoplifted large quantities of alcohol using his parents' car shortly after one of the robberies.

Waitress Fight At Louie's Waffle House Kitchen, Arrest Made: Cops
An April 12 fight between two waitresses in the kitchen of a Joliet Waffle House resulted in the Nov. 11 arrest of one of them, authorities said.

Off-Duty Cop On Vacation In Florida Accused Of Urinating On Ice Machine
When a worker at a bar told him to stop, the vacationing officer began “verbally cussing” the employee, police said, leading to his Dec. 5 arrest.