Did Someone Order an Exposed Espresso with a Bare Muffin? LA GRANGE, Oct. 5—Police were called to Caribou Coffee, 30 N. LaGrange Rd., at about 12:22 p.m. because a 48-year-old La Grange Park woman was walking around with her shirt unbuttoned and her jeans undone. Police said it appeared her clothes were old and not holding up well. Police told her not to return unless she is properly dressed. If it Really is a Scam, the Toddler is a Brilliant Touch LA GRANGE, Oct. 4—A man pushing a toddler in a stroller was trying to sell tickets for the American Legion door-to-door near Cossitt and …

Occasionally, Dad Needs a Relaxing Day at a Spa LA GRANGE, Sept. 26—A 15-year-old La Grange Highlands girl who was learning to drive hit the accelerator by mistake and drove into Natasha’s Salon and Day Spa, 539A S. LaGrange Rd., at about 7:10 p.m., according to police. No injuries were reported. The Acura she was in was towed from inside the building. Her father told police he was with her while she was driving under a learner’s permit. He said she pulled into the parking lot turning from LaGrange Road, tried to park, hit the accelerator by mistake, went over the parking post and sidewalk …

Double Oops ELMHURST, Sept. 16—Police found a man passed out behind the wheel of a Toyota Camry parked on First Street near Larch Avenue. They noticed the driver's side window was smashed out and glass was strewn throughout the inside of the car. When the man woke up, police reported that he told them he was drunk and had to break into his car because he had locked his keys inside. However, police determined that the man broke into the wrong car. They found his Mitsubishi parked on the third floor of the Larch Parking Deck. Eduardo Rivera, 27, 325 E. Myrick, Addison, was charged with criminal…

Deep Sleeper Misses Creeper ELMHURST, Aug. 30—Police were told that somebody entered a locked apartment on the 400 block of West Butterfield between 10 p.m. Aug. 30 and 5 p.m. Aug. 31 and removed a gold-colored wrist watch and diamond engagement ring. The victim told police the items were removed from her body while she was sleeping. Grassault with a Deadly Weeder BURR RIDGE, Aug. 29—Police were called at about 12:45 p.m. to a home on 94th Street when a resident accidentally sprayed weed-killer on a small portion of his neighbor's lawn. No arrests were made. Still Time to Move There Before …

Luxurious Spot for Cat Hair LA GRANGE, Aug. 24—A gray-and-white tabby cat with black stripes wandered into Luxe Home Interiors, 22 W. Burlington Ave., police learned at about 1:18 p.m. The cat had no collar. Police brought the cat to the Hinsdale Humane Society.  Mystery Meat on Wheels LA GRANGE, Aug. 23—Police were unable to locate a man reported selling meat out of a gray or blue sport-utility vehicle at about 12:22 p.m. on the 800 block of Seventh Avenue. The man was blond, in his 20s and wearing a white shirt and blue jeans. He may have been selling from the Bridgeview area, police said. …

No Rhyme or Reason to Some Poultry LA GRANGE, Aug. 13—A woman watching her daughter’s house on South Stone Avenue while the daughter was away reported that someone left a store-bought chicken on the front doorstep. To Pluck a Flower at a Late Hour, Might be Safe, He Thinks. But Darkness Will Not Dim Its Gaze—a Camera Never Blinks ELMHURST, Aug. 13—A man walked onto the front porch of a home on the 600 block of South Mitchell, looked in the front window and took a plastic flowerpot off the center pillar of the porch at 2:54 a.m. The homeowner told police that he saw the suspect on video from …

Serial Vacuum Villain Ready to Roomba DOWNERS GROVE, Aug. 10—Two Roomba vacuums valued at $700 were reported missing from Bed Bath and Beyond, 1548 Butterfield Rd. A security investigator for the business told police a back door alarm sounded at 8:30 p.m. Aug. 8 and again at 6:41 p.m. Aug. 9, but no one was found in the area on both occasions. It was later discovered two vacuums were missing. The security investigator told police similar incidents recently occurred at the chain’s Oswego, Mount Prospect, Bolingbrook and Geneva stores. Fist of Fury LA GRANGE, Aug. 9—A man told police his car …

If You Recognize This Underwear... DOWNERS GROVE, July 28—At 2:54 a.m. police responded to an alarm and found the front door shattered at Tobacco Discount, 2321 Ogden Ave., but no one was inside. The owner estimated 30 cartons of cigarettes valued at $1,500 and 20 incense bottles valued at $160 were taken. Police gave descriptions of the burglars, based on video images of two people inside the store: Person #1: Medium build, wearing a green jacket, black pants with a hole in the right knee, white gloves, black-and-white gym shoes, and a dark shirt over the head. Person #2: Medium build, …

Pooped Painter Picked Up at Prairie Path, Poplar ELMHURST, July 18—Jason Schultz, 37, was arrested and charged with criminal defacement after he was found sleeping in a wooded area near the Prairie Path and Poplar Avenue at 5:27 a.m. Schultz was found with blue spray paint. Many items had been vandalized in the area, including a street light, park bench, sign, curb and trees. He was released on bond. Where They Fell for Each Other? LA GRANGE, July 17—Police received a call at about 5:46 p.m. of a group of people, including one wearing a wedding dress, apparently  climbing the roof of the …

Tried for Generator, But They Got Him Later ELMHURST, July 11—Charles D. Bradley, 24, 535 N. Michigan, Villa Park, was arrested and charged with attempted theft after he reportedly attempted to steal a generator that was at the rear of a home on the 500 block of West Third Street at 11:04 p.m. He fled the area in a silver Mercury and was later apprehended in Addison. He was released on I-bond on the attempted theft charges, then turned over to Addison police for possible burglary charges, police said. Doesn't Relish Wiener Leaver LA GRANGE, July 11—A resident of the 0-100 block of Dover …

Cover Those Sesame Seed Buns, People are Eating ELMHURST, June 29—Someone got more than they bargained for in the drive-through of the McDonald’s at 190 E. Butterfield Road on Wednesday. A woman driving in the parking lot cut off another driver in the drive-through at 12:35 p.m. When the victim told her, “that was rude,” the women yelled, “Whatever.” She then sprayed soda all over the victim’s car. The victim then took a picture of the woman’s car, at which point the offender got out of her car, approached the victim and said “take a picture of this.” She then pulled down her pants and mooned…

It's Not Just a Scam, It's a Short Story DOWNERS GROVE, June 21—Shortly after 11 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of Claremont Drive got a call from someone claiming to be his grandson, asking him to send $3,800 to Mexico City. The caller said, “Gramps, this is your oldest grandson.” The caller said he was in Mexico and had a broken nose from a hit-and-run accident. He said his insurance wouldn't send money to another country and he needed airfare back to New York. The resident said he had $2,000 but would need to go to the bank for the rest. The caller asked him not to mention the incident …

Did Puppers Miss Some Suppers? LA GRANGE, June 14—Police were able to trace a rabies tag from Lee County, IL, worn by a stray border collie found in the 400 block of East Avenue. “Puppers” was returned to his family. The family was moving to Brookfield from Lee County. Poplar Post-Party Site LA GRANGE, June 13—Every weekend, someone has been leaving a bag of empty beer cans under a tree on the 600 block of Eighth Avenue, La Grange police learned  from a resident. Alterations to Suit Pants Leave Customer Short DOWNERS GROVE, June 12—A customer told police he tried on a pair of suit pants and …

Premium, Regular and Very Irregular LISLE, June 9—The Shell gas station at Ogden and Yackley avenues was closed after the canopy over the station's filling area fell over. Patch checked it out after spotting a photo from Twitter user @DWATzke. The site at 2001 Ogden Ave. is owned by TrueNorth Energy. District manager John Mannion was on hand to provide details. He said the 'freak accident' occurred around 7:50 a.m., when the canopy apparently snapped. No one was injured, and no cars were parked under the canopy at the time. Things They Don't Tell You on the Do-It-Yourself Network BATAVIA, …

Every Burglar's Bane: Great Dane Beyond the Pane ELMHURST, May 25—A resident of the 300 block of West Alexander Boulevard told police a man between 6-foot-2 and 6-foot-4-inches tall, with medium-length blond hair, wearing jeans, a blue T-shirt and carrying a black backpack, tried to open her rear, sliding-glass door at 12:02 p.m. He stopped when the resident’s Great Dane charged at him. He was only able to push the door open 6 inches due to a bar set in place. Summer's Here (Almost) and the Time is Right LA GRANGE, May 24—Two women were reported to be blocking cars from passing while they …

Not the Same as Finding Them on the Sidewalk ELMHURST, April 29—Police responded to a call for a woman taking coins from the City Centre fountain. Aris K. Sandefur, 26, 1262 Pine Valley Drive #105, Schaumburg, was arrested at 5:26 p.m. at Schiller and York streets. Police said she admitted taking the coins, but when police spoke to her, she provided officers with her sister’s name and date of birth. She was charged with providing a false ID. Police also discovered she had a failure to appear warrant on a retail theft charge. She was taken to DuPage County Jail. Spiced Octopurse DOWNERS GROVE…

Was His Dog a Pointer, Too? ELMHURST, April 27—An elderly man became involved in a dispute with the staff at PetCo, 199 S. Route 83, after his dog was groomed and he was given a bill of $51. The man reportedly became verbally abusive and started swearing, then he gave the female clerk a check for $45 and said that was all he was going to pay. He reportedly was pointing his finger at her very closely. She obtained his license plate number, and police attempted to contact him. Police will follow up. Sometimes the Weekend Bites LA GRANGE, April 25—A woman reported that her husband brought home a…

Address Mixup Delivering the Male ELMHURST, April 19—A woman was alarmed and called police after a man came to her door at 1:06 p.m. looking for someone to have sex with. The man told police he went to the woman’s home to follow up on a Craigslist posting by a woman who wanted to have sex. Turns out he had the wrong address. An investigation is pending. Leave a Tip for Housekeeping, They Deserve It ELMHURST, April 15—Staff at Clarion Inn Hotel, 933 S. Riverside, reported that a guest of the hotel severely damaged her room between 2:44 p.m. April 15 and 2 p.m. April 16. The staff reported that…

Phony Franklin Face Smoother than Spender's GLEN ELLYN, April 13—The Chamber of Commerce warned merchants that a counterfeit $100 bill had turned up at a business in town. The man who allegedly spent the counterfeit bill was described as 60, white, with blond or gray hair and a bad complexion. Not Lovin' It LA GRANGE, April 11—A 22-year-old man and 20-year-old woman who were arguing at about 12:31 a.m. at McDonald’s, 100 N. LaGrange Rd., were sent on their way by police. Sometimes It's Not the Mailman ELMHURST, April 9—At 9:58 p.m. a resident of the 200 block of East Wilson Street reported …

Tail Teasing or Muzzle Mocking? LA GRANGE, April 5—A woman living in the 0-100 block of north Edgewood Avenue told police at about 6:55 p.m. that a neighbor’s dog was on her property and taunting her. Police said it was unknown where the dog lived. Officer's Nose for Trouble Beats Smoke Detectors WESTERN SPRINGS, April 3—Police officer Terry Madler's timely discovery of a fire helped avoid danger to the home and residents at 3842 Grove Ave., said Fire Department Deputy Chief Gary Mayor. Madler was patrolling Ogden Avenue when he smelled a strange odor from Grove Avenue. Upon investigating, he…