Month: September 2014

For nearly 3 weeks, CWB readers have know about a series of arsons that have struck in Boystown and nearby Lake View. One wave hit on August 31 and another hit last weekend. Yesterday, finally, Alderman Tom Tunney made his first effort to tell constituents about the problem—via a post on his Facebook page. “Safety”

Mack Perry (Cook Co. Sheriff’s Office) Let’s just say things didn’t go as Mack Perry planned. If this Chicago Police report we’re reading is to be believed, the 48-year-old, thrice-convicted burglar, was on the streets of Lake View around 2:45 Monday morning, breaking into cars. Simple jobs for an old timer. But things took an

An officer inspects a shotgun recovered after a home invasion in the 1800 block of Belmont.  (Chris Lalla) Two gunmen are in custody after a home invasion led to a dramatic police pursuit across Roscoe Village and Lake View during the Tuesday evening rush. An officer on routine patrol was flagged down at Belmont and

Grunauer (Cook Co. Sheriff’s Office) UPDATE 2:25PM Sept 19: After the community expressed dissatisfaction with Grunauer’s bond of $4,000, a judge today ruled that the suspect will be held without bond. —— Former Wrigleyville bartender Daniel Grunauer has been “arrested…in connection with the recent fires” around Uptown’s Margate Park, 48th ward staffer Marko Zaric says.

A sharp-eyed Boystown resident’s quick response helped Chicago Police track down a robbery offender yesterday evening. The good citizen called 911 at 5:30PM to report seeing two men beating a victim on the street near Roscoe and Elaine, one block east of the Halsted strip. The victim was screaming for help and all three men

Lakeshore Bike (Yelp) The burglars who’ve been feasting upon neighborhood residences and businesses hit the mother lode this weekend, reportedly taking $18,000 to $20,000 worth of bicycles and parts from a lakefront cycle shop. Officers were called to Lakeshore Bikes, just north of the tennis courts at Addison and Lake Shore Drive, around 10 o’clock

At least three people were beaten or threatened in Boystown by a carload of offenders in separate incidents overnight. No one is in custody and it appears that no official police reports were filed. The motive of the offenders is not clear. Around 4:15AM, a man ran into the Walgreens at Clark and Barry after

Remnants of an overnight arson fire in the 800 block of Buckingham. Scene of an overnight arson fire in Boystown. Another series of arson fires struck Boystown overnight, causing minor damage to one vehicle but no apparent damage to structures. CWB sources have indicated that these fires as well as two other sets of intentionally-set

A masked gunman turned and fired one or two shots at a robbery victim who chased after him in nearby Lincoln Park Friday evening, police and witnesses report. The bullets missed their mark. Officers were called to the area of Orchard and Drummond, about a block west of the Clark Street Best Buy store at

New information released by the Chicago Police Department today reveals two daylight robberies took place in the Wrigleyville and Boystown area last Friday, September 5. In the first incident, a victim was strong arm robbed on the sidewalk near Barry and Halsted around 11:15AM. No weapon was used. Case HX417419. Less than two hours later,

Meet James Roberts, the man accused of pouring rubbing alcohol over his wife’s head and setting her ablaze in an Uptown parking lot on Sunday. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office just released his mugshot and we couldn’t help but notice his toothy smile. Roberts is being held without bond. Prosecutors say his wife is struggling

Anthony E. Knight (Cook Co. Sheriff’s Office) Anthony E. Knight, 56, allegedly stole a phone charger and $2 cash from the pockets of a man sleeping in Wrigleyville around 5:30PM last Tuesday. And when the 44-year-old victim woke up, court records say, Knight punched him in the face. That’s when things went south for Anthony

Time after time, churches and social service agencies have told CWB and community groups that they consider the Chicago Police to be “partners” in their missions. And time after time, CWB learns of incidents that fly directly counter to their claims. Verbatim transcript of 19th district radio transmissions from Tuesday night: 8:32PM UNIT 1922: Do