Car Crashes Into Home, Driver Charged With DUI: Des Plaines Blotter

DES PLAINES, IL — A driver accused of crashing into a residence while intoxicated was among the arrests in the Des Plaines Police Department's latest crime report.

The report also included church donation boxes pried open or damaged, vehicle burglaries and an arrest involving alleged battery on a law enforcement agent at Rivers Casino.

The following information was provided by the Des Plaines Police Department. Please remember that although a person may be charged with a crime, a charge is merely an accusation, and the person is innocent until proven guilty.

DUI FOLLOWING CRASH INTO HOME

Jonathan Sanchez, 28, of the 4700 block of Calvert Drive, Rolling Meadows, was charged after officers responded to a vehicle that had crashed into a residence in the 700 block of West Oakton Street.

Police said Sanchez displayed signs of intoxication and failed multiple field sobriety tests. Officers found three empty 50-milliliter alcohol containers inside the vehicle, and a breath test showed an alcohol concentration of .136.

Sanchez was charged with two counts of DUI and improper lane usage. He was released with citations and a court date of Nov. 23.

BATTERY AND ASSAULT ON OFFICERS

Jeffrey D. Harlan, 49, of the 0-100 block of South Second Avenue, Lombard, was arrested Oct. 13 after officers responded to Rivers Casino in the 3000 block of South Des Plaines River Road for an intoxicated person refusing to leave.

Police said Harlan struck an Illinois State Police Gaming Board agent in the groin while the agent was wearing a visible badge and firearm. Casino surveillance footage corroborated the incident, according to the report.

During booking at the police station, Harlan also swung a fist at a sergeant, police said.

Harlan was charged with aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated assault on a peace officer and trespassing to real property. A detention hearing was scheduled for Oct. 14.

FALSE 911 REPORT

James D. Watts, 24, of the 400 block of East 88th Place, Chicago, was arrested Oct. 13 after police responded to a dispute between a customer and clerk at a business in the 1400 block of Lee Street.

A caller alleged the clerk threatened him with a firearm and locked him inside. Officers reviewed surveillance footage showing an argument but found no evidence the clerk possessed or displayed a gun or prevented the customer from leaving.

Watts continued making those claims after being told the video contradicted his account, according to police. He was charged with reporting a false alarm or complaint through a 911 call and released from the station.

CANNABIS CHARGES

Austin J. Payton, 19, of the 10300 block of Michael Todd Terrace, Glenview, was charged following a traffic stop on Dempster Street for a vehicle with only one functioning headlight.

Police said officers recovered 27 individually packaged, pre-rolled cannabis joints weighing a combined 45.9 grams, along with THC vape pens and cartridges containing approximately 26 grams of concentrated cannabis oil. Officers also recovered $540.

Payton was charged with possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, possession of adult-use cannabis in the passenger area of a motor vehicle and a headlight violation. He was released with citations and a court date of Oct. 16.

ORDER OF PROTECTION

Oluwatimilehin T. Oyende, 19, of the 300 block of Elk Boulevard, Des Plaines, was arrested after officers responded around 10:30 p.m. Oct. 14, to a domestic disturbance in the same block.

Police said Oyende pushed a person protected by an active order of protection, violating its prohibition against physical abuse.

Oyende was charged with violating an order of protection. An initial hearing was scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Skokie courthouse.

WARRANT ARREST

Irving D. Cardenas, 29, of the 1500 block of Howard Street, Evanston, was arrested at 10:10 p.m. Oct. 15, following a traffic stop near Oakton and Chestnut streets.

An officer stopped the vehicle for expired registration and learned Cardenas had an active arrest warrant. He was processed at the police station and held pending an Oct. 16 court appearance.

CHURCH BURGLARY

Officers responded at 3:14 p.m. Oct. 15, to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in the 1100 block of North Des Plaines River Road for a burglary involving donation boxes.

Staff discovered one donation box had been pried open and another showed signs of attempted entry. Cash and coins were scattered on the floor. The report did not specify how much money, if any, was missing.

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Police investigated vehicle burglaries Oct. 15 in the 1900 block of Welwyn Avenue. Two vehicles had been entered and rummaged through, although their owners did not believe anything was missing.

Surveillance footage showed five people exiting a dark-colored sedan and checking vehicle door handles before entering a van and stealing tools from the rear.

STOLEN VEHICLE

While investigating the Welwyn Avenue burglaries Oct. 15, officers located a white BMW X5 stolen from a driveway in the 1900 block of Locust Street.

The owner reported that multiple people took the vehicle using a key fob left inside. Approximately $50 also was missing from the center console.

Witnesses saw several people in dark clothing and hoodies leave in the BMW, followed by a dark-colored sedan. Surveillance footage showed the BMW being abandoned in the street before the group left in the sedan.

PACKAGE THEFT

A resident of the 1900 block of Pine Street reported a missing package at 6:04 p.m. Oct. 15. A Ninja Crispi portable air fryer had been delivered by FedEx around 12:42 p.m. but was missing from the porch.

LAST TIME: Drill Sets Stolen From Hardware Store: Des Plaines Police Blotter