Crime & Safety

Accidental Pocket Dial Leads Police to 29 Pot Plants

A Palos Hills man accidentally dialed 911 from his pocket, leading police to a home filled with marijuana plants.

Like many awkward conversations, this one started with a pocket dial.

A 911 dispatcher received a call on Saturday, Nov. 12 at about 11 a.m. and heard nothing but muffled noises. Police were able to trace the call to a home on the 10200 block of 82nd Avenue in . 

Police were sent to the home and let inside. Once inside, officers saw several marijuana plants growing inside an open closet in plain sight, said Deputy Chief James Boie. 

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They found 29 marijuana plants after a search of the house, along with several mason jars of dried marijuana, police said. The plants were growing with the assistance of lighting, irrigation equipment, fans and climate-control equipment, Boie said. 

Paul Gudelj, 39, was charged with felony possession of marijuana, felony production of cannabis plants and possession of drug paraphernalia. 

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"He had his phone in his pocket and his pants were tight," Boie said. "Dialing 911 was a complete accident."

Also home was Gudelj's wife, stepson and another man.

After the marijuana is properly weighed, an additional charge is possible, Boie said. This was the first time Palos Hills police have been called to the home, either by accident or on purpose.  


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