Curfews Enacted, Arrests Made As Looting Hits Orland, Tinley

ORLAND PARK, TINLEY PARK, IL — Orland Park joined other south suburbs in implementing a curfew Sunday evening after police responded to multiple acts of vandalism and violence. The curfew will be in effect each night through Wednesday, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Residents are being asked to stay home and keep the streets clear for police.

Protests and looting in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis took place in Orland Park and Tinley Park on Sunday, officials in both villages have confirmed. Events similar to those that have occurred across the country in recent days were going on near Orland Square Mall, 159th Street and La Grange Road and other locations in these villages.

Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau confirmed around 3:45 p.m. that three arrests had been made in the village in connection to looting. One adult and one juvenile were arrested in connection to an attempted robbery at a jewelry store on 151st Street, and one person had been charged with disorderly conduct at the mall.

Sources told Patch that every shopping center on a major road in Orland and Tinley is closed and blocked off by police, fire or public works. This includes grocery stores.

The entrances to the mall were also blocked, and several other businesses in both Orland and Tinley have closed as precautions and preparations for more damage to come later in the day.

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This curfew will be enforced by the Orland Park Police Department with exceptions made for those traveling to and from work, seeking medical care, or fleeing from dangerous circumstances; law enforcement, members of the news media and federal, state, or local public officials conducting necessary work are also exempt. Violation of the curfew order is a misdemeanor, according to the news release.

In Tinley Park, a curfew has been enacted for Sunday night, from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday. Village public safety has stated the curfew is due to "heightened police activity and threats to our community."

Non-essential travel is not recommended, and residents are urged to stay home. Officials there said the curfew is planned for only one night, with the situation to be reassessed on Monday.

"Our Assistant Village Manager Pat Carr, public works, our police department, fire department and 911 dispatchers are working collaboratively to help secure our town and keep us safe," Tinley Park Village Trustee Mike Glotz said.

"Everybody, please stay in for the time being and be safe."

Carr confirmed the broken window and door at the Harley Davidson dealership, but said that as of 5 p.m. no arrests had been made as a result of the increased police activity in Tinley Park.

"We've had numerous calls of suspicious people, and our police have been in several pursuits, but we are not chasing anybody," Carr said.

In all pursuits, the potential suspects fled according to Carr.

Calls coming in to the 911 center, Carr said, have included reports of "people carrying hammers and crowbars," and one report at the Target store indicated a group of 10-12 cars showed up at once but fled once Tinley Park police arrived.

Pekau said there's a heavy presence of police and fire units in Orland "to protect life and property," but no major incident other than the ones connected to the three arrests had been reported as of 3 p.m.

Pekau and Ray Hanania of the Orland Fire Protection District dispelled a number of rumors. As of 4 p.m., nothing in Orland Park was on fire, they said.

Pekau said public works vehicles have been used to block some major entrances and "most businesses are closed." A few people, he added, have been "chased out of town."

Among the businesses confirmed by area residents to be closed is the Jewel-Osco on 159th Street. Pekau said residents should specifically avoid that thoroughfare and La Grange Road.

"This is no organized protest," Pekau said. "It's people coming in to steal."

One specific incident of vandalism was reported on local scanner traffic just before 3:30 p.m. According to a caller, the front window of the Chi-Town Harley Davidson store at 178th and La Grange in Tinley Park was shattered, and about eight suspects fled the area before police could arrive.

If you see any demonstrations turning violent or vandalism occurring, send this information and photos or videos if you have them to tim.moran@patch.com.

ALSO ON PATCH: Precautions Taken In Evergreen Park, Oak Lawn, Rioting Confirmed In Nearby Towns