Zion police recently arrested a teenage boy described as a “habitual offender” after stealing a minivan that was parked in front of an elementary school.
The incident took place Aug. 28 at around 3:40 p.m. at Elmwood Elementary School in the 300 block of Ezra Avenue. The driver told police they had briefly left their Chrysler Town & Country van unattended with the keys inside.
After discovering the vehicle had been taken, the driver contacted police who reviewed surveillance video from the surrounding area. Police said they identified as the perpetrator a 15-year-old Zion boy who they have arrested numerous times for vehicle thefts.
The van was located about two hours later in the 3000 block of Gilboa Avenue and returned to its owner. Sometime after that, officers arrested the juvenile in the 3000 block of Ezekiel Avenue and took him into custody.
Police say it is the fourth time in three years that the youth has been charged with auto-related thefts. He was brought to the juvenile detention center in Vernon Hills.
Fled on foot
Around the same time that same day, Zion officers stopped a car for traffic violations in the 2200 block of Galilee, and reported that the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot.
Police said they chased him into a nearby apartment building. Officers were able to apprehend the man, who was identified as Demtrius Bryan, 31, of Zion.
A search of his vehicle yielded cocaine, cannabis and several thousand dollars in cash, police said. Bryan was charged unlawful possession, fleeing and eluding and numerous traffic counts. He was released on a $20,000 recognizance bond, police said.
More bomb threats
A Lake County school and library received bomb threats, part of a wave of such threats reported recently in the north suburbs.
Daniel Wright Junior High School in Lincolnshire received a bomb threat Aug. 27, which was accessed the next day by school staff. The school district administration immediately evacuated the building, and police with bomb-sniffing dogs and other emergency workers searched the building.
The Warren-Newport Library in Gurnee received a bomb threat at about 12:30 p.m. on Aug. 21, which forced an evacuation of the building. After police searched the building and gave the all-clear, the library opted to remain closed for the rest of the day.
Libraries in Wilmette, Oak Park, Park Ridge and Morton Grove have all been subjected to bomb threats in recent weeks.
Be warned
If you’re hitting the road this Labor Day weekend, please drive sober and safe. Police agencies across Lake County and around Illinois will have extra patrols out over the holiday weekend to ensure motor safety.
The “Drive Sober or Get Puller Over” campaign has been ongoing since Aug. 18, and will run through Sept. 5.
The Lake County sheriff’s office said people can expect to see additional patrols this weekend, looking for drunk or high driving. Officers will also be on the lookout for seat belt usage violations and speeders, as well as distracted driving.
