Police Reports

The Elmhurst Police Department recently reported the following arrests and citations. Persons charged with domestic battery are not named in order to protect the privacy of victims. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a conviction, and that subjects are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. Juveniles age 17-or-younger are not named.

Assault, battery

Aug. 28

Police said officers responded to Elmhurst Hospital at 12:02 a.m. for the report of two patients with stab wounds. The victims related they received their injuries while in another jurisdiction. Melrose Park Police responded to the hospital and took over the investigation.

Criminal damage, criminal trespass

Aug. 26

A complainant in the 400 block of Oaklawn told police at 8:53 a.m. that several surfaces and playground equipment at Berens Park were defaced with black marker. The officer made contact with the juvenile who admitted to defacing the surfaces. The juvenile was referred to peer jury.

Domestic battery, domestic incident, disorderly conduct, disturbance

Sept. 1

Jerome P. Niehus, 57, of Hillside, was issued a citation for disorderly conduct/befouling property in the 100 block of E. Fremont at 4:17 p.m. 

Police said a reporting officer met with a complainant in the 300 block of E. Crescent at 7:04 p.m. who reported a group of juveniles made inappropriate statements to her 9-year-old son. The reporting officer was able to make contact with a suspect who stated he and his friends were in the area but does not recall talking to a younger child. The suspect further states his friends often use foul language among each other, but not with others, especially younger children.

Aug. 30

Police said a reporting officer met with a complainant in the 700 block of S. Benton, who reported a USPS employee was bitten by a dog at the reported location. The reporting officer met with victim at

Elmhurst Hospital who reported she sustained a puncture mark on the back right side of her left calf. The case was referred to the DuPage County Animal Care and Control.

Aug. 29

Police said officers responded to the 600 block of W. Armitage at 6:21 p.m. for the report of a domestic battery where a juvenile suspect struck his great grandmother and threw an object at his great grandfather. The suspect was taken into custody and was transported to the police station. He was charged with four counts of domestic battery and was transported to the Kane County Juvenile Detention Center.

Aug. 27

Police said officers responded to the 100 block of Caroline at 11:39 p.m. for a complaint. The complainant told police that during the suspects’ first attempt to “ding-dong ditch” (ring the bell and run) her home, she exited her house and scolded the group. The teens later returned, rang her doorbell, and threw a piece of fruit at her house. Officers checked the area with no results. There were multiple complaints of similar incidents.

DUI, DUI-drugs, illegal transportation of alcohol, illegal possession of alcohol, consumption of alcohol by a minor

Aug. 31

Nathaniel McGarry, 33, of Melrose Park, was charged with DUI, speeding and failure to signal when required subsequent to a traffic stop near York and Fullerton at 11:43 p.m. 

Aug. 29

Jesse A. Marshall, 31, of Hillside, was charged with DUI, possession of cannabis by a driver, stopping/standing on a roadway and possession of open alcohol near Lake and Church at 12:47 a.m.

Aug. 28

Jamie D. Gomez, 27, of Chicago, was charged with DUI and improper lane usage subsequent to a traffic stop near North and I-290 at 2:12 a.m.

Aug. 27

Police said officers responded to the 600 block of Crockett at 6:35 a.m. for a check on well-being of someone seated on the curb. The suspect admitted to consuming alcohol, was cited for consumption of alcohol by a minor and was transported to his residence.

Fleeing, eluding

According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported two incidents of fleeing and eluding in which drivers of a vehicle or a motorcycle reportedly fled after a traffic stop was conducted.

Harassment, threats

Aug. 6

Police said a reporting officer at York High School was alerted about threatening messages sent from one student to another. The suspect admitted to sending the messages but said he meant no harm. An investigation is pending.

Possession of cannabis, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance

Aug. 29

Police said that subsequent to an extra patrol of the Addison parking garage, an officer observed Kenneth S. Lee, 22, of Hoffman Estates, and Miriam Olague, 20, of Bensenville, within a vehicle on the fifth level. Police said Lee retrieved a cannabis grinder containing loose cannabis from the center console and handed it to the officer. According to police, Olague was found to be in possession of an open can of beer, provided the officer with a false date of birth and admitted to drinking three beers before the officer arrived. Lee was cited for possession of cannabis in a vehicle. Olague was cited for consumption of alcohol by a minor and disorderly conduct/obstructing.

Police said that subsequent to a traffic stop near Villa and Rose at 7:12 p.m., the suspect was found to be in possession of cannabis. During the traffic stop, the officer was unable to weigh the recovered cannabis but advised the suspect of the consequences if the cannabis weighed more than 30 grams. The cannabis was found to weigh 58 grams. The officer will seek a warrant for the suspect’s arrest. Charges are pending. 

Aug. 28

Denell B. Brown, 28, of Oakbrook Terrace, a passenger in a vehicle, was issued a citation for possession of cannabis in a vehicle subsequent to a traffic stop near Lexington and York at 1:36 p.m.

Aug. 27

Carlos A. Delgado, 21, of Bensenville, was charged with possession of cannabis (over 100 grams), no insurance and speeding subsequent to a traffic stop near York and Lake at 9:46 p.m.

Aug. 26

Nicholas E. Mato, 23, of Elmhurst, was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of cannabis in a vehicle and speeding subsequent to a traffic stop near North and Willow at 10:08 p.m. Police said Mato was found to be in possession of Psilocybin and 45 grams of medical cannabis which was not in a sealed, odor-proof, child resistant container.

Suspicious circumstances 

Aug. 29

A reporting officer at a store in the 200 block of S. Route 83 met with a complainant who reported an unknown suspect was following her around different grocery stores. While at one of the stores, the unknown suspect did not appear to make a purchase before leaving the store toward Route 83. The subject did not approach her or engage in conversation with her while he was in the store. The complainant described the suspect as a younger black male, clean shaven, with a short afro hairstyle.

Aug. 28

Police said a reporting officer received information about possible retail thefts of liquor from a store in the 900 block of S. York at 12:44 p.m. The officer made contact with the driver of the vehicle believed to be involved in the thefts. The officer spoke to a suspect as she exited the store. An investigation is pending.

Police said that subsequent to a report of criminal defacement of property in the 100 block of E. Schiller, suspects were located and admitted to spraying disappearing foam onto the side of a building. The area was checked with no results for defacement. Four juvenile suspects were released to their parents.

Theft or burglary/identity theft/fraud/forgery/deceptive practice/obstruction/robbery

Aug. 31

Devonda D. Lewis, 29, of Bloomingdale, was charged with retail theft, battery and disorderly conduct at a store in the 500 block of S. Spring at 1:21 p.m. According to police, a complainant reported Lewis was harassing customers before leaving the store with an unpaid item. Police said officers met with another complainant who reported she had been poked by Lewis.

Theft by deception was reported in the 200 block of E. Butterfield at 5:07 p.m. A victim told police she received an email from a friend requesting she purchase two gift cards and to provide the card numbers. The victim complied with the request but later discovered her friend’s email account had been hacked and the email was sent by an unknown suspect(s).

Theft was reported in the 400 block of N. York at 3:39 p.m. A victim told police that an unknown suspect removed money from his wallet. A reporting officer reviewed video footage which showed the victim’s wallet in his back

pocket with cash exposed. The unknown suspect was able to take the cash and walk away. The suspect is a white or Hispanic male, around 5-8, 180 pounds, wearing a red baseball hat, sunglasses, blue and gray shirt, black shorts and white gym shoes.

Theft was reported at a gas station in the 400 block of N. York at 8:19 p.m. A reporting officer met with a complainant who reported an unknown suspect dispensed fuel and left without paying. The complainant reviewed video surveillance footage which showed a white female with blonde hair, a thin build, wearing a purple and pink skirt, and white sandals. The unknown female entered the front passenger seat of a vehicle and the vehicle exited southbound on York Street.

Aug. 30

Theft was reported in the 900 block of S. York at 1:13 p.m. A reporting officer met with a victim who reported her wallet was taken from her purse. The victim immediately contacted the credit card companies and found currency had been withdrawn from her savings account and a charge on one of the credit cards. The reporting officer was able to review video surveillance footage which showed an unknown, heavy-set, male suspect on a motorized scooter distracting the victim while another male black suspect approached the victim’s shopping cart and then walked away with an item in his left hand. The suspect is described as a black male, wearing a white dress shirt with a tie, black pants, and a hat. The suspect on the scooter was described as a black male between 30-45 years of age, 5-10 and 6-2 tall, heavy-set, wearing a colored striped shirt, and long shorts. This case is pending investigation.

Theft of a vehicle was reported at Maple Tree Court at 1:13 p.m. A victim told police that he discovered his Vespa motor-scooter was missing. The victim stated he last saw his Vespa after he parked it by the sidewalk leading to the pool of the apartment complex. This case is pending investigation.

Aug. 29

Theft of vehicle parts was reported in the 800 block of N. York at 10:17 a.m. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) stole the catalytic converter from her vehicle while it was parked overnight in her parking lot. Video surveillance showed the suspects removing the catalytic converter and leaving the scene in one of the suspect’s vehicles.

Theft of vehicle parts was reported in the 900 block of Riverside at 11:52 a.m. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) removed the catalytic converter from the vehicle while it was parked behind the business. An investigation is pending.

Aug. 28

Burglary was reported in the 200 block of W. Lake at 7:55 p.m. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) broke the lock to his storage unit and stole appliances.

Aug. 26

Identity theft was reported in the 200 block of S. West at 3:12 p.m. A victim told police he received a text message with a link from whom he thought was from the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The victim clicked on the link, provided his personal information, and realized the link was to a fraudulent website. The victim placed a fraud alert on his credit and was advised to contact the Federal Trade Commission.

Theft was reported in the 100 block of E. Brush Hill at 6:42 p.m. A victim told police that she arrived at work and placed her belongings in an unsecured employee locker. When she returned to the locker area, she noticed someone had taken her wallet out of the locker. The victim’s driver’s license was entered into LEADS.

Aug. 13-Aug. 26

Identity theft was reported at Eaton Court. A victim told police that an unknown suspect(s) used her personal information to open a credit card and car loan in her name sometime between the above dates.

Aug. 18

Pablo Landa Carrillo, 26, of Addison, was charged with possession of a stolen vehicle, obstructing identification, resisting/obstructing a police officer and driving while license suspended near Lake and Walnut at 4:14 a.m. Police said a reporting officer observed a vehicle which was reported stolen out of Aurora. Subsequent to a foot pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody and was transported to the police station. Police said the suspect admitted to driving the vehicle and knowing the vehicle was stolen.

Unemployment benefits identity theft

According to information provided last week by the Elmhurst Police Department, police reported five incidents of identity theft with the intention of using a victim’s personal information to fraudulently apply for unemployment benefits through the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Unlawful possession of a controlled substance 

Sept. 1

Michael Bernacki, 33, of Summit, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, while Keith Terrell, 50, of Chicago, was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia in the 900 block of S. York at 8:07 p.m. Police said Bernacki was also found to have a valid warrant out of Illinois Department of Corrections for a parole violation. According to police, a reporting officer located a vehicle that was reportedly stolen out of the Chicago Police Department. The reporting officer made contact with the Bernacki and Terrell, both of whom were found to be in possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia, police said.