Police Blotter: Man Gives Confusing Description of Robber

Tuesday, April 12

Nice Paint Job

A 24-year-old Chicago Heights woman told police an unknown individual spray painted the driver side of her vehicle in a "swirling pattern" sometime between 9:30 p.m. April 11 and 11:07 a.m. April 12.

Theft

• A 37-year-old Chicago Heights man told police a Kenwood faceplate and factory stereo were stolen from two different cars after they were left unlocked overnight.
• An Xpert Towing employee told police an inventory check revealed a Honda motorcycle was missing from the company's yard.
• A 36-year-old Chicago man was fired from L.B. Steel in Chicago Heights after he admitted to a co-worker he had stolen a copper strap, valued at $100, with the intention of selling it.

White or Black Robber With or Without a Gun

A 19-year-old Chicago Heights man told police he was robbed by a man with dreadlocks at Center Liquors on April 5. Police said they asked him why he didn't report the robbery when it happened, to which the man replied he didn't know he was supposed to but that his mother had advised him to do so. Police asked the man what he expected to be done, and he said he wanted to file a report so that if "someone put his wallet somewhere, he doesn't get blamed for some crime." When asked about the race of the offender, the man said "light colored," then "white or black." The man also initially said he was robbed at gunpoint, but when later asked if the offender had a weapon, he said "no."

Threatening Call

A 22-year-old Chicago Heights woman told police she received several phone calls from an unknown female, stating, "I'm gonna kill you and your mom so you better watch your back."

Nickel Bag Stabbing

A 22-year-old Chicago Heights man told police he was trying to buy a "nickle bag" of cannabis from three unknown men in the parking lot of Tony's Liquor in the 300 block of W. 14th Street when the men began beating him and stabbed him in the abdomen. The man was taken to St, James Hospital, but his current condition is unknown.

Weapon Bust

Mark A. Toribio, 24, of the first block of W. 58th Place in Summit, was arrested and charged with unlawful use of a weapon after police saw him discarding a handgun with the serial numbers filed off in the 200 block of W. 15th Street, according to reports. Toribio was already wanted in Hammond, Ind., for violating his probation. He told police he had the gun because he is a Latin King gang member, police said.

Flailing and Running

Willard Elam, 17, of the 6300 block of S. Sunflower Drive in Matteson, was arrested and charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, battery and resisting arrest after attempting to run when police were conducting a "protective pat down," according to reports. Police said they tried to restrain Elam but he began to flail his arms and push them, refusing to place his hands behind his back. Police found an automatic pistol in Elam's pocket, reports said.