Alleged Drunk Driver Says He Was Riding in Child's Car Seat: Weird Crimes

You Got Me, Copper!

Feb. 18: A Bartlett man was apparently quick to admit to cops what he had concealed in his coat.

Richard A. Hansen, 52, of the 1900 block of Ridgemore Drive was charged with retail theft, according to a report. Police said Hansen was spotted walking north from the Jewel-Osco, 9350 159TH Ave. When stopped, Hansen reportedly told police “You got me” and handed over a pair of jeans, two shirts and two pairs of socks that were tucked inside his coat.

Police spoke with a witness who had told the store manager he saw Hansen leave with the clothing, according to the report. The witness then followed Hansen. The total value of the clothing is $206.63. Hansen was booked and given a March 6 Bridgeview court date.

Read more on Orland Park Patch.

Split Bag Foils CVS Thieves

March 4: A man and a woman tried to make off with almost $2,000 worth of energy drinks and over-the-counter drugs from the drug store, according to an Oak Forest police report. And they would've gotten away with it, too, if it wasn't for a meddling gift bag.

An employee at CVS, 15840 Cicero Ave., told police a man and a woman entered at about 6:10 p.m. and tried to walk out with merchandise they didn't pay for, according to the report. The employee recognized the woman from a previous theft incident and became concerned, the report stated. A birthday gift bag the thieves were carrying split open as they tried to leave, spilling medicine and energy drinks onto the floor.

The man and woman were last seen in a white passenger vehicle, heading westbound on 159th Street, according to the report.

Employees believe the pair made off with more OTC medications and energy drinks but were not sure how much, according to the report. Store video showed the suspects enter and leave.

No arrests have been reported.

Read more on Oak Forest Patch.

They Forgot The Kitchen Sink

March 5: Someone stole the hot water heater and bathroom sinks from a vacant house in the 14300 block of South Millard Avenue, according to a report. A house cleaner hired by Bank of America, which owns the property, reported the missing items. He also told police that pipes had been damaged throughout the house.

Read more on Oak Forest Patch.

A 'Tight Fit'? Must Have Been

March 7: A Midlothian man charged with driving under the influence claimed he actually was riding in a child's car seat when the car crashed, police said.

Matthew L. Slattery, 23, of the 14900 block of Terrace Lane in Midlothian, is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, driving without insurance and improper lane use, according to a Tinley Park police report.

Police were called at about 9:28 p.m. for a report of someone banging on store windows at 16649 Oak Park Ave. That's where officers found Slattery, who appeared to be highly intoxicated, according to the report.

A Chevy Cavalier was stuck in a nearby snow bank, and Slattery initially told police that, while he was drunk, his friend was the one driving the car. Slattery then claimed he had been sitting in the backseat, inside a child safety seat, and that it was a “tight fit," according to the report. The police report did not indicate if the friend was found.

Police arrested Slattery and took him to the Tinley Park Police Department for booking. At the station, he initially refused to take sobriety tests but later submitted to a breath test, which resulted in a blood-alcohol level of 0.234.

He is due in Bridgeview court on April 3.

Read more on Tinley Park Patch.

Punched In The Face Over $10

March 6: A man was struck and robbed of $10 at about 1:49 a.m. near 1704 Chicago Rd., according to a police report. The victim told police the attacker came from out of nowhere and punched him in the face. He then grabbed the money out of the victim's hand and ran away. The victim refused medical treatment. A search of the area failed to turn up a suspect.

Read more on Chicago Heights Patch.

Are you a fan of true crime? Like the Crime-n-Shame Facebook page for tales of mischief and woe from all over the Chicago area.

Police report information is provided by local police departments. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.

What to Read Next:

• Judge Sets $2 Million Bail For Local Man Charged With Stabbing Mom, on Homewood-Flossmoor Patch
• Burr Ridge Teen in Deadly Head-on Palos Wreck Drunk & High: Prosecutor, on Palos Patch
• Gang Suppression Unit Arrests Man on Ecstasy Possession: Will County Blotter, on Frankfort Patch
• , on New Lenox Patch
• Burbank Residents: 'We're Kept In Dark on Crime', on Oak Lawn Patch