Police Blotter: DUI Stops, Dine and Dash, and Cigarette Grab

THURSDAY, May 18

Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Equipment Bust

Police stopped Manuel Urquizo, 17, of the 15000 block of Leclaire Avenue in Oak Forest, after witnessing him drive 40 mph in a 25 mph zone in the 192000 block of Schoolhouse Road. During the stop police smelled the strong odor of burnt cannabis and asked Urquizo and his two passengers to step out of the car.

While searching the car, police found a glass blow with suspected burnt cannabis in the center console, and a key chain with a metal socket with burnt cannabis residue in it. Urquizo and David J. Parker, 17, of the 17000 block of South 68th Court in Tinley Park, were taken to the Mokena Police Department where they were charged with possession of drug equipment. Urquizo was also cited for speeding, and both released on their own recognizance, pending a June 11 court date in Frankfort.

WEDNESDAY, May 16

Snatch and Grab at Tobacco Shop

Two black men came into Will County Tobacco, 19145 S. La Grange Road, asking how much a carton of smokes was, witnesses told police. They left, and about a minute later they returned.

One man said he would like to purchase a carton of Newports, while the other man picked up an already open carton of Newports, containing 25 packs and ran out of the store. The other man quickly fled the store, headed south. Police could not locate the suspects while searching the area. The witness said there is a tape of the incident.

SUNDAY, May 13

Dine and Dash at Denny's

Police responded to a call at Denny's, 19099 Old La Grange Road, at 3:44 a.m. from a Denny's employee stating three people left without paying for their meals. Tiffany M. Dangman, 18, 20000 block of Woodland Circle South, Ryan W. Hayes, 18, 19000 block of Brompton Court, and Mitchell D. Cunningham, 17, 21000 block of Tall Grass Drive, did not pay for their meals and walked out.

At the store, the victim told police about the incident, while another officer made a traffic stop on the Hummer H3 Cunningham was driving. Dangman told police Cunningham said he was going to pay for the meal, of which she owed $2.85 and Hayes owed $11.48. Cunningham paid for his portion of the meal.

Dangman and Hayes were taken to Mokeka Police Department and released on bond. Both are scheduled to appear in court on June 20.

Tree-topped DUI Stop

Police responded to a call at the corner of Wolf Road and Front Street, due to a single car accident at 1:48 a.m. Arriving at the scene, police found Jason M. Bettenhausen, 32, 760 block of Lisson Grove of New Lenox, slumped over in the driver's seat, with the car in neutral, resting on a small tree. Police reached into the car and put it in park, then tried to wake the driver, which they couldn't do. EMTs arrived on the scene and were able to wake up the driver, who stated, “I must have passed out,” when questioned about the incident, according to the report.

Bettenhausen and his passenger, who was curled under a blanket in the back seat, were taken to Silver Cross Hospital, where Bettenhausen refused to submit to any tests, expect for an X-ray.

Bettenhausen was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol, improper backing, improper lane usage violations, other moving violation, operation of an uninsured motor vehicle and operation uninsured motor vehicle. He was released on bond pending a June 13 court date.

DUI on Everett Lane

At 9:44 p.m. police stopped Adriane M. Grace, 40, of the 10000 block of Front Street, after witnessing her drive through a red light at the intersection of 191st Street and Everett Lane.

Police noted Grace's car swerving several times before initiating a traffic stop, the report said.

While talking with Grace, police noted a strong smell of alcohol and a plastic cup containing a pink liquid in it, according to reports. Police asked Grace to step out of the vehicle and found her to have a large wet spot on the front and rear of her pants, to which she stated she urinated in her pants. She failed all standard field sobriety tests and was taken into custody, according to reports.

Once at the Mokena Police Department Grace blew a .225, nearly three-times the legal limit. She was released on bond, pending a June 13 court date.

THURSDAY, MAY 10 

Driving on Prescription Drugs

Susan M. Kane, 47, of the 11000 block of Blackhawk Court, was stopped after police saw her turn without signaling and swerving slightly.

After stopping Kane, police noted her license was suspended and that her foot was wrapped. The report said that Kane was speaking with slow, slurred speech and distant, unfocused eyes. Kane said she had taken Norco for her foot pain and that she knew she probably shouldn't be driving. She told police that she didn't think she could get a DUI because had taken drugs that were prescribed to her.

Police took Kane to the Mokena Police Department where she was charged with driving under the influence of drugs, driving on canceled, suspended or revoked registration; suspended/revoked drivers license, and failure to signal. Kane was released on bond, pending a June 13 court date.

Police report information is provided by Mokena Police. 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.