Child Endangerment, Necklace Theft Schemes: Des Plaines Police Blotter

DES PLAINES, IL — A woman accused of child endangerment and resisting police, along with two reported necklace thefts at grocery stores, are among the latest incidents reported by the Des Plaines Police Department.

The following information comes from Des Plaines Police Department reports. An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.

Endangering Life Or Health Of A Child

Regina A. Gamez, 42, of Des Plaines, was arrested at 10:32 a.m. Sept. 15, in the 1600 block of East Thacker Street and charged with endangering the life or health of a child and resisting a peace officer.

Police said officers responded to a 911 call and spoke with Gamez, who initially told officers she did not know where her vehicle was. Officers noticed a 1-year-old girl inside the residence and said Gamez appeared intoxicated.

According to police, Gamez had slow and slurred speech, repeatedly changed her account and had a strong odor of alcohol coming from her. Officers also reported finding a trash bag containing several empty alcohol containers and cleaning supplies accessible to the child.

Police said officers determined Gamez was not in a condition to care for the child and asked her to contact a trusted adult to temporarily take over the child’s care.

After initially calling a friend, Gamez became upset and refused to cooperate, police said. Officers then told her she was under arrest.

Police said Gamez pulled her arms away as officers attempted to handcuff her and continued resisting before she was taken into custody.

She was transported to the Des Plaines Police Station, where she was later released with court information. The child was released to the care of a friend, according to police.

Necklace Theft

800 block of South Elmhurst Road: An 84-year-old Mount Prospect woman reported that her gold necklace was stolen at a Jewel-Osco at around noon Sept. 9.

Police said the woman was approached by people who engaged her in conversation before taking the necklace and leaving the area.

Necklace Theft

1000 block of East Oakton Street: A 32-year-old Rosemont woman reported at 2:02 p.m. Sept. 15, that people approached her inside a Jewel-Osco and asked to pray with her.

During the interaction, police said the offenders took the woman’s necklace and replaced it with an inexpensive one before leaving.

Burglary To Motor Vehicle

1000 block of South Lee Street: A 40-year-old Park Ridge man reported that someone entered his Hyundai Tucson sometime between Sept. 11 and Sept. 14 while it was parked at Gerber Collision & Glass and rummaged through the vehicle.

Police noted the Hyundai already had damage and did not have its driver-side doors attached at the time.

Theft Of Lost Or Misplaced Property

1600 block of Higgins Road: A 34-year-old Niles woman reported that her pink DKNY suitcase was stolen outside a Panera Bread sometime between noon and 5:17 p.m. Sept. 11.

Police said the woman had left the suitcase outside the entrance while she went into the business. When she returned, it was gone.

Hit-And-Run

1100 block of West Oakton Street: A Toyota Camry was struck in a parking lot at 12:01 p.m. Sept. 14, police said.

The offending vehicle hit the passenger side of the Camry and left without providing information.

Criminal Damage To Property

1600 block of Oakton Place: A 34-year-old Bartlett woman reported that the rear passenger window of her Hyundai was broken sometime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sept. 15.

Police said it did not appear anyone entered the vehicle.

LAST TIME: Cocaine Possession, Officer Assault Charges — Des Plaines Police Blotter