Police Blotter: Counterfeit Cash Only Funny 'til Someone Gets Caught

THURSDAY, AUG. 18

Smoke Billows from Christa McAuliffe School Porta-Potty

were called around 2 p.m. to Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, 8944 W. 174th St., after a staff member said she saw smoke coming from a porta-potty on the west end of the property. They squelched the fire and closed off the area. Department personnel said an accelerant wasn't used in the blaze. Neighbors were unaware of the fire and said they hadn't seen any suspicious activity in the area.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 17

Home Burglarized by Relative

A man living in the 16700 block of South Westwind Court said his home was burglarized between July 25 and Aug. 17. A black digital camera valued at $400, a bag containing $300 in change, a savings book, $200 cash and a bottle of Grey Goose vodka were reported missing. The man said he believed the culprit was his 29-year-old son. No charges had been filed as of 4 p.m. Tuesday, but the man told police he intended to file a criminal complaint.

Shark Tooth Snatched

A 56-year-old woman living in the 16800 block of New England Avenue called the cops to report that between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., someone took a shark tooth and a red rock with the words “Heart of Stone” engraved on it from on top of her radio. The woman said those were the only two items missing and insisted that she’d been burglarized, according to the police report. Police said there were no signs of forced entry.

TUESDAY, AUG. 16

Counterfeit Cash: It's Only Funny 'til Someone Gets Caught

A 19-year-old Harvey man who said he sold an audio amplifier to a co-worker in the parking lot of Burlington Coat Factory, 7601 W. 159th St., called the cops when he realized he got funny money for the purchase. The exchange went down between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., according to the report. The man was handed a $50 bill and a $20 bill, which he later tried to use to buy gas. He later approached the 20-year-old Chicago buyer at work and told him to either give him the money or the amp. He denied ever giving the counterfeit cash, the report said. notified the U.S. Secret Service and placed the bills into evidence.

SATURDAY, AUG. 13

Pool, Grill and Lawn Furniture Stolen

A 36-year-old woman called police to report that sometime between July 31 and Aug. 12, someone removed a 21-foot-wide above-ground pool, a gas grill, patio furniture and a home air conditioning unit from her property in the 16400 block of Nottingham Court. The woman said the home is vacant and up for sale.

SATURDAY, AUG. 6

Taxi Violation

Mohamed Samaha, no age given, of the 5700 block of Ridgemont Lane in Chicago Ridge, was arrested around 11:50 p.m. in the 19100 block of Ridgeland Avenue in Tinley Park and cited for violating the local taxi ordinance.

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