Ald. Smith Calls Residents to Court For 'Not Just Any Bike Theft'

Chicago Police recently arrested a man—a local official referred to him as a "professional criminal"—who they say needed only seconds to snag a bike out of someone's garage.

In light of the Gold Coast incident, 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith is reminding residents that "crime will not be tolerated in our community." She's participating in the case as a court advocate and asked Lincoln Park residents Wednesday to join her.


Smith recounted the incident in a recent newsletter, saying that it occurred one weekday evening while "one of our neighbors" was returning from the airport. The man parked his car in the garage, took a suitcase out of his trunk and walked to put it by the door to his home.

"In the 15 seconds that he was away from his still-open garage, a man walking down the alley went into his garage and rode off with his bike," Smith says. "In 15 seconds."

A neighbor's security camera recorded the incident and two weeks later, the suspected burglar was identified and arrested.

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"It turns out the defendant is in fact a (convicted) criminal, with 17 arrests (including) 11 felonies and five misdemeanors," Smith says.

The suspect has been convicted a total of eight times and was on parole at the time of the reported bike theft, police say.

"As a former prosecutor, I know that a stolen bike case might get short shrift in our Cook County justice system," Smith said. "But we want to send the message that crime will not be tolerated in our community. Therefore, I am participating in the case as a "court advocate"—and I hope you will join me."

Court advocates are community members who attend court dates involving cases of interest to show the prosecutor and judge that residents care about the case. They do not testify but rather, observe and let their presence be known.

Gold Coast Neighbors President Vern Broders has expressed his own concerns about the incident, which occurred within the Chicago Police Department's 18th District, of which Lincoln Park is a part.

"We consider nothing more important to our association than the safety of our residents," Broder said. "I think court advocacy actions are one of the best things we can do to build a better community."

Smith offered to help coordinate carpools for residents wanting to attend the upcoming Skokie court dates, the first of which is Monday, Aug. 26 at 10 a.m.

The courthouse is at 5600 Old Orchard Road and the case will be called in room 108.

"Because the justice system is slow, sometimes it may feel as if not that much happens in court," Smith said. "But unless we are there, this case may be disposed of in a way that is too lenient. Being in court is our chance to make sure criminals know not to target our community."

Those interested in joining should e-mail yourvoice@ward43.org.