Blotter: Unleashed Dogs at Artesian Park; Man's Yelling May be His Singing

The following incidents are among the official reports of the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff Police Departments. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that determination.

LAKE FOREST

Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

Matthew J. Gadbois, 28, 822 Foster Ave., Lake Bluff, was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and driving under the influence at 9:59 p.m. Feb. 1 near the intersection of Green Bay Road and Deerpath. He rear-ended a vehicle in the left turn lane of northbound Green Bay Road at Deerpath. Gadbois said he had been drinking and failed a field sobriety test. He refused to give a breath sample. He was released on a $100 bond and surrendered his Illinois driver's license pending a March 13 court date in Waukegan. 

Criminal Trespass to Property

Philip P. Vargas, 22, 1350 N. Lake Road, Lake Forest, was charged with criminal trespass to property at 12:17 p.m. Feb. 1 in the 1200 block of N. McKinley Road. Vargas was remained on the property at Lake Forest High School after receiving notice that entry was forbidden. He was released on a $120 bond pending a Feb. 23 court date in Waukegan. 

Domestic Battery

James A. Fiocchi, 76, 491 S. Beverly Place, Lake Forest, was charged with domestic battery at 8:42 p.m. Feb. 6 in the 400 block of Beverly Place. Fiocchi caused bodily harm to a family member by striking the victim repeatedly on the left arm. He was held for a bond hearing pending a Feb. 7 court date in Waukegan.

Minor Consumption of Alcohol

Three 16-year-old male juveniles from Lake Forest were charged with minor consumption of alcohol, and one of the three was also charged with social hosting at 11:50 p.m. Jan. 27 in the 400 block of Exeter Place. Police responded to a report of a 16 year old with alcohol poisoning. He was transported to Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital by the Lake Forest Fire Department. One teen was sent to an administrative hearing for providing a place for minors to consume alcoholic beverages. Two of the teens were found to have consumed alcohol and were under the age of 21. All three were assigned to an administrative hearing March 14 at Lake Forest City Hall.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Manuel Rios, 28, 320 Oak Terrace, Highwood, was charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and a suspended driver's license at 8:42 p.m. Feb. 3 near the intersection of Route 41 and Route 60. Rios was stopped for an equipment violation on his vehicle and was found to have a suspended driver's license. He also possessed a glass-like pipe used to inhale cannabis. He was released on a $120 bond pending a Feb. 28 court date in Waukegan.

LAKE BLUFF

Suspicious Circumstance

Officer responded to the center median at East Center Avenue in front of the Public Safety Building for a complaint of a sign posted in the area at 7:17 p.m. Feb. 10. Complainant stated he didn't know if the sign was allowed to be placed there. Officer checked the area and located a Mothers Against Drunk Driving sign. Officer determined this sign is allowed to be publicly posted.

Suspicious Person

Officer responded to the area of Sunrise and Center avenues for a report of a male subject with long brown hair walking and yelling angrily at 9:47 p.m. Feb. 9. Officer was delayed due to responding to another call and was unable to locate the man. Officers have had numerous contacts with a man with a similar description who likes to sing loudly with music on his headphones.

Animal Complaint

Officer spoke to refused complainant regarding unleashed dogs at Artesian Park, 410 Sheridan Road, at 8:18 a.m. Feb. 9. Complainant stated Artesian Park is becoming a dog park and is concerned for her and her children's safety. The Park District was contacted and emailed the ordinance that requires dogs must be on a leash not to exceed six feet on park district property. Complainant said it occurs every day in the morning.

Added Feb. 13

Deceptive Practices

A Lake Bluff resident in the 29000 block of North Birch Avenue reported eight unauthorized withdrawals from a savings account using an ATM at 10:52 a.m. Feb. 8. The withdrawals were made from an ATM at a Consumers Credit Union in Ford Heights, Ill. No further information was available.

Revoked License

Ernesto Simon-Cruz, 35 of Highwood was charged with possession of a revoked license at 5:08 p.m. Feb. 5 near the intersection of Shore Acres and Sheridan roads. Simon-Cruz was initially stopped for speeding after being clocked traveling 50 mph in a 40 mph zone. He was released on a personal recognizance bond pending a March 6 court date in Park City.