Blotter: Man Stabs Cat; Craigslist Exchange Backfires

UPTOWN

Tuesday, Jan. 15

Knife-Wielding Teens Target Middle-Aged Commuter

Police said that while patrolling in the 1100 block of West Lawrence Avenue around 5:40 p.m., a 40-year-old man approached them and said three teens dressed in dark clothes had just grabbed him from behind, threatening him with a knife if he didn’t hand over his wallet.

When the incident happened, the man was riding a southbound red line train, he said. He reportedly gave his cell phone and wallet to the thieves, who he described as likely being 14 years old or younger. He also reported the incident to the Chicago Transit Authority worker on duty once he got off the train at the Lawrence Avenue stop, according to the report.

LAKE VIEW

Wednesday, Jan. 16

Craigslist Rendezvous Turns Sour

A 46-year-old woman called the cops after a man who contacted her via Craigslist to buy her iPhone 4s reportedly robbed her. The woman said she agreed to meet the buyer in the 600 block of West Surf Street to complete the transaction.

She parked her car in a nearby alley around 3 p.m., according to the report, and the offender got into her vehicle wearing gloves. He displayed a small semi-automatic pistol and demanded her phone and money, the report said.

The victim got into a scuffle with the alleged thief, police said, at which time he punched her in the face and snagged her iPhone, American Express card and $11 cash. A 25-year-old witness chased the suspect but eventually lost sight of him near Clark Street and Barry Avenue, according to the report.

Police hadn’t found the offender as of Tuesday but described him as a black man between 20 and 25 years old.

Counterfeit Money Used for Unique Theft

An unknown man believed to be 25-35 years old reportedly walked into Yuki Haha Restaurant at 2920 N. Clark St., ordered $10 worth of sushi, paid with a counterfeit $100 bill and left saying he’d return to pick up his food.

However, the man never returned, effectively stealing $90 of real money in exchange for the $100 fake bill. Yuki Hana’s owner used a counterfeit detection marker when he received the bill, and nothing happened. However, upon further investigation after closing, he noticed the fake bill had an underlying $5 bill, making the marker ineffective. 

Thursday, Jan. 17

Onlookers Help Screaming Woman

Police were called to the 600 block of West Wellington Avenue Thursday at 1 a.m. when an unknown man tried to rob a 53-year-old Lake View resident. According to the report, the man tried to steal the woman’s rolling cart, and considering her computer was inside it, she wrestled with the man to keep it.

That’s when the man reportedly hit the woman in the head. She began to scream, causing two witnesses to get out of their cars and walk over to help. When the suspect saw people coming, he grabbed the woman’s purse, jumped into a car with a female getaway driver, and sped off. One of the witnesses was actually a City of Chicago Boot Agent and used his work equipment on hand to snap a photo of the car and license plate.

Drunk Hotel Chateau Resident Arrested

A 28-year-old man called police when a 47-year-old drunk man and 44-year-old drunk Hotel Chateau resident reportedly punched him in the face early Thursday morning, stole $40 and fled.

According to the report, the victim joined police officers when they searched for the two suspects. One was found at the 3700 block of North Broadway, and the Hotel Chateau resident was found at the 3400 block of the same street. They are facing battery charges and will appear in court. 

BUENA PARK

Tuesday, Jan. 15

Man Attacks Using Padlock, Stabs Cat

A 22-year-old man reportedly approached a 25-year-old around 1:20 a.m. in an alley in the 4200 block of North Kenmore Avenue, where he struck him in the back of the head with a padlock. 

The suspect ran away after the victim fell to the ground, according to the report, and yelled, “I left a surprise for you upstairs.” The victim and a female witness went up to the witness’ apartment and found her door kicked in. The unit was in disarray, the report said, and her cat had been stabbed. The victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment of a cut on the back of his head. 

ROSCOE VILLAGE

Monday, Jan. 14

‘Very Intoxicated’ Woman Robbed at Gunpoint

Officers were called to Roscoe Village when a 25-year-old “very intoxicated” resident was robbed at gunpoint a few blocks from the Paulina Brown Line train station, police say.

…Then, on her way into her home, the woman told police she tripped and fell on the sidewalk, climbed the front stairs to her home and had roommates call 911.

• Read the full story on North Center-Roscoe Village Patch. 

RAVENSWOOD

Thursday, Jan. 17

Car Engulfed in Flames While Driven on Lawrence

Police and fire crews responded to a car fire on the corner of Lawrence and Damen avenues Thursday around 8:50 p.m. when a car went up in flames while being driven.

Police say the 2005 Dodge Caravan’s owner is a 53-year-old Albany Park man. He said he was driving when “he smelled smoke from within his vehicle and pulled to the curb.” A fire engine extinguished the blaze, but not before the car was completely totaled. Police say nothing unusual took place leading to the fire.