Palos Heights Police Blotter: Broken-Down Van Leads to DUI; Bicycle Theft

SUNDAY, MAY 29

Glass Piper

Salamon M. Beltran-Martinez, 24, of the 2500 block of James Street in Blue Island, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license and with registration suspended for non-insurance. Police said they stopped Beltran-Martinez’s car in the 7100 block of Route 83 around 8 a.m. for having suspended license plates and found a glass pipe.

SATURDAY, MAY 28

Minor Consumption

Michael Olivares, 18, of the 700 block of 7th Avenue in Maywood, was charged with illegal consumption of alcohol, improper lane usage and failure to wear a seat belt. Police said they stopped Olivares’ car in the 12900 block of Harlem Avenue around 3 a.m. for swerving between lanes and smelled alcohol on his breath.

FRIDAY, MAY 27

Broken-Down Van Leads to DUI

Gerhardt G. Facko, 23, of the 19400 block of Walnut Street in Mokena, was charged with driving under the influence. Police said they responded to a report of a broken-down van in the 13100 block of Ridgeland Avenue around 4:45 p.m. and smelled alcohol on the breath of the driver. Facko's eyes were described as bloodshot and glassy.

TUESDAY, MAY 24

Bicycle Theft

Two men were stopped near the 7600 block of White Pine Place around 5:45 p.m. and charged with theft. Police said Matthew J. Mitsis, 21, and John P. Mitsis, 20, both of the 100 block of Pleasant View Drive in Palos Park, stole a bicycle from a nearby front lawn and took off. John Mitsis was also charged with resisting arrest, according to the report.

Police report information is provided by law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken 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.