Three suspects pushed in a window air conditioner to break into Saint Giles School at 1030 Linden Ave. early Friday, July 31, stealing a duffel bag and a black guitar before climbing out a north-side window near the main entrance.
The break-in, reported at approximately 3:42 a.m., is among more than a dozen incidents logged in the Oak Park Police Department's activity report covering July 31 through August 3. The report lists four named adult arrests, two juvenile apprehensions, multiple vehicle burglaries, and retail thefts across the village.
Vehicle burglaries
Someone broke the driver's-side window of a 2014 Ford E-150 cargo van at Oak Leyden Developmental Services, 320 Chicago Ave., overnight between Thursday, July 30, and Friday, July 31, taking a gas card.
On the same day, a 2022 Chevrolet Malibu was broken into in the 1100 block of N. Austin Ave. The interior was ransacked, though no property was reported missing.
Over the weekend, thieves hit at least two more vehicles: a Hyundai Tucson in the 0–100 block of Ontario St. on Saturday, August 1, from which a body camera, dash camera, solar charger, and two sets of keys were taken (estimated loss: $500), and a 2017 Mazda in the 900 block of Lake St. between Saturday, August 1, and Sunday, August 2, where three party gift bags were stolen ($330 in loss and damage).
Retail thefts and arrests
A male suspect walked out of Jewel Foods, 7036 Roosevelt Rd., at approximately 5:47 p.m. Friday, July 31, with a pack of steaks and a six-pack of lime margarita drinks valued at $12.99, then left in an unregistered white SUV headed east.
That same evening, Brittney D. Rogers, 37, of Chicago, was arrested at approximately 6:53 p.m. in the 400 block of Clinton Ave. on charges of retail theft, assault, and resisting a peace officer. The victim location was Dollar Tree, 922 Madison St.
Other arrests
Dawn Thropp, 53, of Chicago, was arrested for residential burglary at approximately 3:53 p.m. Saturday, August 1, in the 500 block of Linden Ave.
Nicholas Hayes, 28, of Willow Springs, was arrested for public indecency on Saturday, August 1, in the 100 block of Madison St. The charge stems from an incident on July 1; the report does not explain the one-month gap between the incident and the arrest.
Tyrone Howell, 39, of Chicago, was arrested for battery at approximately 6:07 a.m. Sunday, August 2. The battery occurred in the 0–100 block of Washington St. in Oak Park; the victim is an Oak Park resident.
All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty.
Stolen vehicle recovered
A 2017 Infiniti was stolen from a resident's garage in the 1200 block of N. Humphrey Ave. early Sunday, August 2, after someone broke the driver's-side window. Chicago Police Department recovered the car in the 4100 block of N. Knox Ave. and apprehended two juveniles.
An attempted vehicle theft was also reported in the 300 block of Harrison St. over the weekend. Someone broke a rear window of a 2015 Kia and damaged the steering column but failed to take the car.
What's next
OPD's Community Policing Division has also launched a Dog Walker Watch program through the National Association of Town Watch, encouraging residents who walk their dogs to report suspicious activity. Residents can sign up at oak-park.us/DogWalkerWatch and receive a free bandana for their dog, according to the Village Manager's Weekly Report.
OPD's National Night Out is scheduled for Tuesday, August 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. on the south lawn at Village Hall, with music, food, bounce houses, and lawn games.
