Police Blotter: Case of the Purple Bra Snatcher

THURSDAY, OCT. 13

Man Caught Taking Cosmetics, Snacks from Walmart

said a man was seen taking 13 items from Walmart, 2500 W. 95th Street, that he never paid for.

According to reports, at about 12:21 p.m., store security saw the man stuff a few of the items in his pants pockets, then put a videogame in his jacket pocket. Police charged Mitchell X. Kent, 38, of Chicago with retail theft. According to reports, Kent took $55.52 worth of items from Walmart, which included two bottles of body wash, two candy bars, one video game and eight bars of deodorant.

THURSDAY, OCT. 13

Chicago Man Lifts Purple Bra

At about 1 p.m., Walmart store security saw another man take items and stuff them in his pants and jacket pockets, police said. According to reports, Kevin H. Vessell, 21, of Chicago took five items valued at $59.32 from Walmart, including a purple bra, underwear, a shirt and a pair of pants. Police said Vessell left the store without paying, and security nabbed him upon leaving.

MONDAY, OCT. 10

Traffic Stop Leads Cops to Drug Paraphernalia

Evergreen Park Police said an officer on-duty saw Caroline Thompson, 57, of Chicago drive west on 95th Street stopped her at Fairfield Avenue at 1:57 a.m. after seeing that she had only one headlight. After running a check on her, police said they found out that her license was suspended. Thompson handed the officers a glass crack pipe from her coat pocket, police said. Thompson was arrested and charged with improper lighting, driving while suspended, no proof of insurance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

SATURDAY, OCT. 8

Speeding Motorcyclist Charged

Police said at 10:07 p.m., Anthony F. Stroup, 39, of Olney, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. According to police reports, tactical officers saw two speeding motorcycles driving eastbound on 99th Street at Washtenaw Avenue. Officers stopped one in 2900 block of West 99th Street, but the other fled, police said. When the cops spoke with Stroup, they found out that he had no valid motorcycle license, police said, and that he had a multicolored glass smoking pipe with green residue in it in his possession. Police charged Stroup with speeding, no valid driver’s license and possession of drug paraphernalia.

FRIDAY, OCT. 7

You Can Run From Walgreens But Can't Hide

According to police reports, at 8:30 a.m., employees at Walgreens, 8700 S. Kedzie Ave., saw a man walk around and remove items from display, then place them into personal he carried in with him. When passing through last point of purchase, he was stopped by a manager who searched his bag and found four Tide bottles, one bottle of body wash, police said and a second bottle in his personal bags when he was brought into station.

Upon walking him back into store to call police, the man ran off without bags eastbound on 87th Street, police said. Donnell L. Smith, 52, of Chicago was stopped by a cop responding by a call and was positively identified by manager, police said. Police charged Smith with retail theft. Smith had six items totaling $31.96.

Police report information is provided by the  and other law enforcement agencies. 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.