Notable January Arrests in the 16th and 17th Districts
A man in a police-car look-alike, a man with a gun on a CTA train, a bespoke burglar and more.
A Crown Vic and Credit Cards
On January 3, 2023, an on duty officer working in an undercover capacity was driving near Kilpatrick and Belmont saw a black Ford Crown Victoria with flashing white lights (like those on a police squad car). The Crown Vic was driving recklessly and overtaking cars. The car was eventually stopped near Linder and Belmont where the driver, 48 year old Kevin Sroga was taken into custody. A search of the car showed that the Crown Vic he was driving was retrofitted with switches that allowed the car to have white flashing lights, a rear light bar and an audio siren, similar to those on a police squad car. Additionally, police also discovered the plate on the car was registered to a Dodge rather than a Ford Crown Vic and police located six identification cards, five credit cards and two vehicle titles that did not belong to Sroga. Sroga was charged with multiple traffic violations and felony unlawful possession of credit cards. He was held in Cook County Jail in regards to another case and was given a $10,000 d-bond for this case.
Gun Recovered, Male Taken Into Custody on CTA Train
On January 5, 2023, around 5:10 P.M. police responded to a call of person with a gun at the Kimball Brown Line near Kimball and Lawrence. When police arrived, they were approached by multiple CTA employees who pointed at a man, Ronald Smith, who they said had a gun. A police report described Ronald Smith as “intoxicated and not speaking coherently.” Police conducted a protective frisk and they found a Ruger 9 millimeter handgun with an extended magazine and a flashlight attachment. Police spoke with a victim who told police that near the Western Brown Line stop smith approached them and said “I HAVE A 30 ROUND CLIP OF THESE MOTHERFUCKERS AND I WILL SHOOT EVERYBODY!” The person who police described as a victim however, declined to press charges. Smith was charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Smith was presumably released on a bond as he is currently not in custody.
A Known Offender Robs Her Local Liquor Store
On January 8, 2023 around 9:25 A.M., a woman reportedly walked into the Kwik Mart located at 5500 W Montrose. She then put her hand in her jacket implying she had a gun or a weapon and told the clerk “give me all your money.” The clerk told the woman he was not going to give her anything and that he knew who she was and the woman replied “don’t make me do this.” She was interrupted by a customer who walked into the store and she fled while dropping an ID card. Police caught up with her a couple of weeks later when she was taken into custody. Precious Hernandez was taken into custody by the 16th district tact team on January 21 and was charged with attempted aggravated robber - indicate a firearm. She was bonded out on electronic monitoring from Cook County Jail.
FOID Card Holder Threatens People With Gun, Felony Charges Denied
On January 21, near Lawrence and St. Louis, Chicago Police received multiple calls of a passenger in a white Audi driving around and pointing a gun at people. Police were able to locate a car matching the description on the 3600 block of W Lawerence where police were met with multiple people. Police spoke with the passenger who admitted to police that he had a gun in his glove compartment but that he had a Firearms Owner Identification card. Police were able to recover a Glock 23 9 millimeter handgun from the glove compartment and determined he did in fact have a valid FOID card. A victim identified the man as the man who pointed a gun at them and told them “Get out of my neighborhood." Aaron Garcia, 21, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, a misdemeanor and misdemeanor unlawful use of a weapon. Garcia was released on a $1,500 recognizance bond (I-bond).
A Dapper Burglar Is Nabbed
A man was arrested on January 23 on the 4800 block of N Linder for an attempted burglary and a burglary. Lorenzo Nelson is accused of breaking into a home on the 7900 block of W Foster. The victim got home and saw their home was broken into. Security camera footage caught him in the act where he was initially described as a male, White wearing a derby hat, a blazer, a face mask and gloves. It was then corrected to a male Black. Police conducted a search and were able to find him in the area of the 4800 block of N Linder where other people had called 911 due him acting suspiciously. Police were able to recover a screwdriver used in the burglary, a large amount of jewelry taken in the burglary and over $1,400 in cash. Nelson was charged with 2 counts felony burglary offenses. He was subsequently released on electronic monitoring from Cook County Jail.
Man Threatened To Kill Another, Charged With Misdemeanor Assault At Carniceria Jimenez
Police were called to the grocery store, Carniceria Jimenez at 5330 W Belmont for a man attempting to stab another. When police arrived they were pointed in the direction of a man who was accused of threatening a man with a screwdriver. The victim then told police that the man had chased him around the store and yelling “I’m going to kill you!” Police were able to recover the screwdriver in the man’s pocket. The man was identified as Parish Stewart, 41, who was charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and was released on a $2,000 I-bond.
All people have been only been charged and not convicted and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.