Chicago Police Department Weblog

RICHARD A. DEVINE STATE'S ATTORNEY

CRIMINAL DIVISION DISTRICT

SKOKIE, ILLINOIS

September 12, 2007

Superintendent Dana Starks

Interim Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department

Dear Superintendent Starks:

I am writing to bring to your attention the excellent police work done by Sgt. Jon P. Hein (15th Dist.) and Officer Brian G. Murphy ( 24th Dist.) on a case in which a woman was brutally beaten and car jacked in Skokie. The defendant recently pled guilty to 25 years IDOC under People v. Richard Graves, 05CR-5305.

Two days after the attack in which the victim had her car and purse taken, Sgt. Rein and Officer Murphy stopped a car in which the defendant, Richard Graves, was a passenger. The defendant was seen tossing a cannabis cigarette and placed under arrest. PO Rein and Murphy found on the defendant the victim's driver's license and a key that matched the make of the car taken.

After questioning the defendant, he took Sgt. Rein and Officer Murphy to where he had left the car. The car was recovered and defendant's prints found inside. The defendant subsequently made admissions to Skokie police detectives.

If not for the attention paid by Sgt. Rein and Officer Murphy to the crime reports coming out of Skokie and recognizing both the name of the victim and type of car she was driving, this crime may never have been solved. Their attention to detail and constant vigilance are a credit to the Chicago Police Department.

Additionally, their professionalism during the numerous pretrial motions helped assure that all the evidence was admitted. I wish to commend their efforts.

Respectfully,

Martin F. Moore, ASA

Cook County State's Attorney's Office

Skokie IL

cc: Commander 15th District; Commander 24th District.

                            3rd Annual Call Box Cup

Chicago Fire Dept. Soccer vs Chicago Police Soccer

06OCT07 Toyota Park 3:00pm

Schedule of Events:

3:00 Police vs. Fire

4:30 Tailgating and other activites outside Toyota Park

7:30 New England Revoulution vs. Chicago Fire of the MLS

Tickets for both games are $20 with $5 of every ticket going to the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. Entry to both games on same ticket and seating for the New England vs Chicago are in $25 seats.

Police are 4-0 all-time against the Fire Dept.

If Police win it will make for another full athletic sweep against the Fire Dept. (Hockey & Baseball both won)

More Details check www.cpdsoccer.com

Edward L. Barron ................  1973

KING COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, Seattle,WA

Susan L. Rahr, Sheriff

August 27, 2007

Commander Joe Salemme

Chicago Police Department Area 5 Detective Division

Re: King County Sheriff's Office Case #07-205966

Dear Commander Salemme:

On July 10, 2007, a cab driver in the city of SeaTac, Washington, was murdered and his body and vehicle subsequently set on fire in an attempt to cover up the crime. This was an exceptionally senseless and brutal crime. Detectives from the King County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit immediately began an investigation that lead to the identification of two suspects, Earnest and Vernell Collins. Further investigation led to Probable Cause being established for the arrest of Earnest Collins for Murder, and the arrest of Vernell Collins on an outstanding warrant. It was determined that both may have fled to relatives in the Chicago area.

After obtaining two possible addresses where they might be located, King County Detective Pavlovich contacted Detective Rutherford in the Area 5 office on the morning of July 23. Detective Pavlovich explained the circumstances to him and requested his assistance in locating and arresting both Earnest and Vernell. Acting immediately, by 1200 hours that afternoon Detective Rutherford and his partner Detective Mancuso had located and arrested both suspects. King County Detectives Jake Pavlovich, Dave Keller and Elly Broggi flew to Chicago on July 27 to pick up both suspects for transport back to Seattle. Given the nature of the case, they also wanted to attempt separate interviews with each suspect.

Upon their arrival, circumstances forced them to separate and split up assignments. Detective Pavlovich subsequently met with Detectives Mancuso and Ruben Weber, who were more than willing to offer their help. Taking time out of their obviously busy schedule, they drove Detective Pavlovich to the Cook County Jail to pick up Earnest Collins, and then back to the 25th District, where they provided a holding cell, interview area and additional assistance and resources.

When it was time to return to the airport, Detective James Gilger graciously offered to drive Detective Pavlovich to O'Hare Airport, along with Earnest Collins, and waited there with them until the arrival of Detectives Broggi and Keller. We are extremely impressed with the dedication and professionalism of each detective who assisted us during this investigation. Their quick response and arrest of both suspects, and subsequent help when our detectives arrived in Chicago, was and is greatly appreciated.

Obviously, your detectives were extremely busy with their own assignments, yet they still took valuable time out of their day. And in the case of Detectives Mancuso and Weber, they worked overtime to help us when called upon.

I would like to express our thanks and appreciation to Detectives: R. Rutherford, M. Mancuso, R. Weber and J. Gilger, for their assistance to us in this investigation.

Respectfully,

Gregory Dymerski, Chief

Criminal Investigations Division

cc: Captain Debbie Huntsinger, Sergeant DB Gates, Sergeant Mark Toner, Detective Jake Pavlovich, Detective Dave Keller, Detective Elly Broggi

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Commander Dennis Rayl, Chicago Police Department

Unit 701, Mass Transit

Dear Commander Rayl:

This past holiday weekend I took my family to visit Chicago for the very first time. We stayed in an apartment on State Street. We parked our car at a garage on Wabash Street. We enjoyed our visit to your city. Everything about our visit was wonderful until I went to get my car on Monday morning to return home to Georgia. The garage was closed for Labor Day. We were not told this when we parked the car with them. I went back to our apartment and called every number in the phone book for their company with no luck, one answering machine after another. I returned to the garage with my daughter just hoping someone would be there but no luck. I am now stranded with my wife, two daughters, and a pet dog.

This is when I came upon Police Officers Frank Castro and Deanna Maldonado. I told them the situation I was in and asked if they could help me. They said they would do what they could, and they did. They had a representative of the garage on the phone in minutes and convinced him to do the right thing and send someone down and open the garage for us. These two officers stayed close by and checked with the garage company periodically for updates.

We were impressed with their confident and positive demeanor throughout. It took a while but someone from the garage came and gave us our car back. We were on the road home minutes later. What could have been a very bad ending to a terrific visit to Chicago turned into a very happy one because I turned to the Chicago Police for help. In particular, Officer Frank Castro, and Officer Deanna Maldonado.

I wanted you to know how much I appreciate these two friendly and courteous officers and the kindness they extended to my family.

Thank you,

Bill Stephans,

Georgia resident.

September 11, 2007

Dana V. Starks

Interim Superintendent

Chicago Police Department

Dear Superintendent Starks:

This letter comes to you to commend 2 police officers under the command of Bruce Rottner in the 24th District for their professionalism and good judgment. The officers that I am speaking of are Michael Seiser and James Muzupappa.

There was an incident, actually two incidents that took place at Loyola Beach and Park on Labor Day. My daughter, Dana and I were enjoying a day at the beach when an inebriated man approached us. Despite our efforts to ignore him he lingered around us all the while making sexual innuendos. He then moved to another place in the sand to bother a lone woman reading in her beach chair. She ignored him the best she could until she saw that his pants were down and he was exposing himself to not only her but 2 young girls playing near by. At this time my daughter and I got up to leave when we saw and heard the woman yell out that this man was exposing himself. I immediately went to her side then called the police then ran to tell the lifeguard. The man was clearly "out of it" and was escorted off the beach by about 10 lifeguards and mates, the woman, myself, and my daughter. We made it through the park to the Circle Planters where all of the other riff raff hang out.

At that time the police arrived. We were filling out a report to press charges and agreed to go to court. When this was happening, I explained to the police officer that the area (Circle Planters) is over run with this pack of drug dealing, drunks who do nothing but harass, loiter, litter and generally break the law and make it uneasy for those of us who live in the area. The officer looked over and saw what he thought might be someone drinking so he went over to inquire.

Next thing I knew he and the suspected drinker were in a physical altercation. Words were hollered out by the suspect. He threw his drink (can of beer) at the police officer. I immediately told the officer who was filling out the report that his partner needed reinforcement. A chase ensued through the alley and around the block.

Long story short more police arrived on the scene and they caught the guy.

The officers came back to finish the report on the initial arrest and to take our information as witnesses to this second situation. Honestly, while watching this second incident "go down" it might have been easy for the officer to pull his gun. Actually I thought that might happen next and I was about to run and take cover. But he did not. There were many people around and that could have been very tragic.

The suspect reached into his pocket and who knows what he might have been pulling out? As it turns out it was his beer can, but none the less, the officer used good judgment by quickly scanning the scene only to see that there were many people around and it would not have been a wise decision to do so.

My gratitude goes out to Officer Seiser and Officer Muzupappa #3175 for helping to take care and bring awareness to a situation that has needed attention for quite some time now.

Later that evening we were asked by Detective Perry to come in to the 24th District Police Station to give a statement to him and the Assistant States Attorney, which we did. Might I add that we were treated with the utmost professionalism and respect by all.

In closing, I have to say after witnessing it first hand that all police officers take their lives in their hands to uphold the law and protect the public but I am grateful that it was Officer Seiser and Officer Muzupappa who arrived on the scene. My daughter Dana, myself and the other witness will be going court on October 4 for the first incident of drunk and disorderly conduct and indecent exposure.

I will await the court hearing for the second, more serious crime.

Sincerely,

Liz Sarnik

Chicago, IL

cc: Commander Bruce Rottner 24th District

August 27, 2007

Hon. Mayor Richard M. Daley

City of Chicago

Dear Mayor Daley:

I wanted to write a letter on behalf of Chicago Police Department Marine Unit 059 Sgt. Rick Erbacci and Officer Ed Echevarria to thank them for their outstanding, response to my boating emergency last night in Lake Michigan. I experienced a total mechanical breakdown about 10 miles out of Lake Michigan (I thought it was only 5 miles) and contacted 911. Because of my loss of power and loss of my GPS navigation as well, I was unable to give precise information regarding my location, and at one point a helicopter was about to be dispatched to my position.

From the moment I contacted Chicago 911 emergency, I could see how extremely smooth and precise the response was, and before long I was rescued by the above named officers, who towed me back into port. I was extremely impressed by the efficiency and effectiveness of the marine response system, and was contacted by several members of CPD, CPD marine, CPD helicopter rescue as well as the 911 operator (who was also extremely helpful).

At no point in time did I feel as though I was in danger due to the profesisonalism of your CPD marine unit; however, given my rather distant location from the city, it could have been a much different result. When Sgt Erbacci and Officer Echevarria arrived, they were extremely professional and efficient. I was towed back 10 miles to Diversey Harbor and it would not have been unexpected for either of these officers to reprimand me for having this incident; however they were very polite, exemplified the finest in professionalism and very kind as well, living up to the reputation of being "Chicago's Finest"

Because I am so grateful to these fine officers and to your entire 911 emergency operation (which worked perfectly, in my opinion), I felt compelled to write this letter of appreciation and commendation towards these individuals and to the department as a whole. It truly makes one feel safe and secure in event of such emergencies.

Sincerely,

Matsuo Ikuhura, M.D.

Schaumburg, IL

Outstanding Police work by Targeted Response

The following Targeted Response Unit officers and supervisors were involved in this incident:

R. Fischer, M. Mendoza, H. Allen, P. Haritos, S. Maglaras, P. Torres, L. Prieto, N. Griffin, S. Liarokos. Lt. T. Shouse, Sgt J. Ryle, Sgt. W. Wolf, Sgt. M. Lamberg, Sgt. L. Sprandel and Sgt. A. Costello.

While patrolling the 5th District Level I deployment zone, at approximately 2147 hrs, 24 Sept 07, at 11217 S. Michigan, officers observed two victims emerge from the business wearing only their underwear.  The victims related there were armed offenders inside the store and that they had just been robbed.  The officers immediately requested assistance and entered the establishment.  They observed the offenders flee toward the rear of the store and then disappear behind a wall and down a long narrow corridor.  The officers posted at the entrance of the corridor while assisting TRU officers guarded the front and rear of the large multi-unit retail building.  Once the scene was secure, officers covering the inner corridor ordered any and all individuals to come out with their hands visible.  Two of the offenders entered the hallway wearing only their underwear claiming to be victims.  Realizing the possibility of these so called victims actually being the offenders, the officers placed both in custody and separated them and remained posted on the corridor.  OEMC was notified that an armed offender was still in the building and SWAT was requested.  The officers held the corridor until SWAT arrived with additional responding units from TRU who were posted on the perimeter and diverted foot and vehicle securing a two block area.

SWAT made entry to the building conducted a systematic search and found the third offender hiding in a second floor utility closet.  The search also turned up the shotgun and a semi-automatic pistol.

While maintaining the perimeter, TRU officers were informed that a female who was sitting in a parked vehicle was part of the robbery team.   All of the offenders were positively ID'd by the real victims.  All concerned were transported to Area #2 for processing.

Good police work results in bad guys being taken off the streets.  Job well done.  Stay Safe!

David L. Boitano .............................  1924

Central Investigation Salutes 10th District Officers

Central Investigation Detectives salute 10th District Police Officers: Sgt. R. Blas, P.O. J. Tamez, P.O. J. Tuman,

On 23 Aug 07, detectives assigned to the Cold Case Squad requested assistance from the 10th District Tactical Unit. The detectives needed to conduct a line-up at Area Four and required assistance. A call was made to Sgt. Blas for assistance. Sgt. Blas immediately assigned P.O. Tamez and P.O. Tuman to assist the Detectives with the investigation. Within 15 minutes after making the call, P.O.’s Tamez and Tuman arrived at Area Four to assist the R/Ds with the investigation and in conducting a line-up. Thanks to Sgt. Blas, P.O. Tamez and P.O. Tuman, a successful line-up was conducted that resulted in the offender being charged with Robbery. The offender, along with two other subjects, had robbed a senior citizen.

The officers are to be commended for their quick response, dedication to duty and their willingness to cooperate with an outside unit.

Thanks for a job well done.  Stay Safe!