Evergreen Park Cops Find Cocaine In Search of Home

Caption: Philip Benz, 59, of Evergreen Park, charged with Class X felony. | Cook County Sheriff

Evergreen Park police found over a pound of cocaine while executing a search warrant in a home in the 3000 block of 100th Place on Wednesday, prosecutors said in court on Thursday.

Philip Benz, 59, was charged with Class X felony for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, as well as misdemeanor drug paraphernalia charges.

Also arrested was Benz’s daughter, Kathleen Benz, who was charged with possession of a controlled substance after police found her in possession of a Tylenol 3 pill, cannabis, pipes and baggies, although her father was the target of the search warrant, prosecutors said.

According to the charges, police found 35.5 grams of cocaine, or 1.25 oz., along with random pills in the home’s bedroom, hallway, laundry room and living room.

Benz’s private attorney told the judge his client was in poor health and had had a botched wrist surgery. The attorney said he has known Benz since 1970 and was “shocked” at the charges.

Philip Benz was targeted in a similar search in April 2011, when an Evergreen Park police tactical unit found ten pounds (4,854 grams) of marijuana and 45.3 grams of suspected powder cocaine, according to new reports.

Prosecutors said that Benz was currently on probation.

Kathleen Benz is a full-time college student who works in a local restaurant who got swept up in search targeting her father, the assistant public defender said.

Bail for Philip Benz was set at $150,000 and electronic home monitoring if he bonds out. Kathleen was released on a $25,000 I-bond.

Their next court date is August 10.

After the hearing, the assistant public defender had terse words for Philip Benz.

“He’s hanging his daughter out to dry,” the assistant public defender said.

Correction: The correct amount of cocaine allegedly found in the home was 1.25 ounces. We regret the error.