Crime & Safety

South Suburban DUI Arrests, July 28

Want proof that drunken drivers do get caught? Here's this week's list of Southland DUI arrests.

By Nick Swedberg (Editor)

NEW LENOX


July 18: Laura Saari, 55, of the 400 block of South Cedar Road, New Lenox, was charged with driving under the influence, according to a report. Police were called at about 7:55 p.m. to the area of 800 block of North Cedar Road to a complaint about a car crash where the driver left the scene. Police were able to track down the driver, who was allegedly under the influence. Saari was booked and released after posting bond.

OAK LAWN

July 14: Ivan R. Martinez, 33, of the 2400 block of West Pershing Road, Chicago, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, disobeying a traffic light, failing to signal, having expired registration and possessing on open container of alcohol, according to an Oak Lawn Police Department report.

Police spotted a car at about 1:47 a.m. drive through a red light at the intersection of Central Avenue and Southwest Highway, the report states. The officer caught up to the car in the 5200 block of Southwest Highway. The driver, Martinez, had red, glassy eyes and an open bottle of Red's Apple Ale in the car, police said. The officer also could smell a faint odor of alcohol coming from the car. Martinez told police he had "two beers," according to the report. He said he could not finish a test for intoxication because he was "scared and shaky." He also refused a breath test.

Martinez is due on Aug. 27 in Bridgeview court.

July 13: Lucia A. Flores, 42, of the 5200 block of South Avers, Chicago, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane use, driving without proof of insurance and speeding, according to an Oak Lawn Police Department report.

Oak Lawn police spotted a gray Chevrolet Impala speeding on Cicero Avenue, the reports states. The officer's radar gun clocked the car traveling 51 mph in a 35 mph zone at about 1:04 a.m. The cop also saw the Impala cross the road lines before stopping it in the 9400 block of South Cicero Avenue. Police could smell a strong odor of alcohol on the driver's breath, according to the report. Flores told the officer she had come from a wine tasting in Orland Park.

She is due on Aug. 16 in Bridgeview court.

ORLAND PARK

July 9: Jonathan F. Paska, 27, of the 8800 block of Carnoustie Drive, Orland Park, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash and leaving the scene of a crash, according to a report.

Police were called at about 10:07 p.m. on July 9 to investigate a hit-and-run crash on Merion Drive, the report states. Police found a smashed-up car and a piece of a silver bumper belonging to another car that left the scene. Officers followed a trail of fluids that led to an area where a silver SUV was parked. It reportedly had front-end damage.

Officers spoke with the driver, Paska, inside his home, according to the report. Cops also matched the bumper with the SUV. Paska was asked to perform tests for sobriety, which he allegedly failed. After booking, he was given an Aug. 15 court date in Bridgeview.

July 8: Abel R. De-Latorre, 36 of the 7400 block of Leyden Street, Commerce City, MO, was charged with driving under the influence of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and improper lane use, according to a report.

Police were following a silver Grand Prix at about 1:13 a.m. in the 14600 block of LaGrange Road, the report states. An officer saw the car swerve across the road lines before pulling it over. The driver, De-Latorre, fumbled through papers while looking for his insurance information and spoke with slurred speech.

An officer ran a check on De-Latorre and found he had prior arrests stemming from drug, robbery and weapons offenses, according to the report. He gave permission for police to search his car. An officer found many plastic bags, including one that had a small amount of white powder. Cops had De-Latorre perform tests for sobriety, when he allegedly failed.

De-Latorre was taken to Palos Community Hospital for blood and urine tests, the report states. He was booked and given a July 24 court date at Bridgeview.

July 7: A Wheaton man who drove into a ditch is accused of drunken driving.

Alexander Salcedo, 30, of the 1200 block of Briarbrook Drive, was charged with driving under the influence, driving though a safety zone and improper lane use, according to a report. Police received the call at about 1 a.m. that a vehicle drover through the safety zone near 171st Street and LaGrange Road and got struck in a ditch.

Officers who spoke with the driver, Salcedo, could smell alcohol on his breath, police said. He attempted to perform field sobriety tests and was arrested. Salcedo was booked and released after posting bond, police said. He is due on Aug. 1 in Bridgeview court. Police said the vehicle's undercarriage had extensive damage.

July 7: Alejandro Villanueva, 35, of the 2100 block of Market Street, Blue Island, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper lane use, driving without a valid license, having a suspended license and driving without insurance, according to a report.

An officer parked on 143rd Street reportedly saw a green Pontiac swerving in the street and crossing the road lines, the report states. He pulled the car over at about 1:03 a.m. in the 9400 block of 143rd Street.

The driver, Villanueva, had a moderate smell of alcohol on his breath, police said. Tests for intoxication were conducted, after which the driver was arrested and booked. He is due on July 24 in Bridgeview court.

PALOS HEIGHTS

July 21: A man stopped for not buckling his belt in Palos Heights was accused of drunken driving, police said.

Charles Busking, 21, of the 5200 block of South Menard, Chicago, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI with a blood-alcohol content greater than 0.08, not wearing a seatbelt and not having insurance, police said.
Busking was stopped by Palos Heights police at about 6:20 a.m. on July 21 in the 12400 block of Harlem Avenue, according to a report. An officer pulled him over for not wearing a seatbelt.

Police believed Busking had been drinking, the report states. They had him perform sobriety tests, which he allegedly failed.

Bail was set at $3,000. He is due on Aug. 20 in Bridgeview court.

CHICAGO HEIGHTS

July 14: Victor Franco, 48, of the first block of West 21st Street, Chicago Heights, was charged with driving under the influence and improper lane use, according to a report. Franco was stopped at about 4:02 a.m. near the intersection of Chicago Road and Hickory Street after police saw his Jeep Carryall swerving in the road. Officers said he had alcohol on his breath.

Franco told police he had been drinking that morning, the report states. He was unable to finish tests for intoxication and was arrested, as a result. Franco refused to take a breath test both on the street and at the Chicago Heights Police Department.

Franco is due on Aug. 14 in Markham court.

June 15: Shannece Gregory, 24, of the 5000 block of Elmira Court, Plainfield, was charged with driving under the influence, driving without headlights, having no proof of insurance and driving on a suspended license, according to a report. Police spotted a car at about 3:17 a.m. near 14th Street and Hilltop Avenue driving without headlights. The driver, Gregory, had bloodshot eyes and a smell of alcohol on her breath.

Police said Gregory fell over limp in her seat when she reached for the glove box to get her identification. A check determined she did not have a valid driver's license. She was asked to take field sobriety tests, which she allegedly failed. Gregory was arrested and booked at the Chicago Heights Police Department, where she also tried to take a breath test.

Gregory was due on July 23 in Markham court.

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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.

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