Most Notorious Crimes of 2012

Forest Park had its share of crime in 2012.

And one of the most notorious came in the aftermath of last year's beating of a senior citizen in the parking lot at Ultra Foods.

Ultra Foods Attack

Carol Mix, 62, of Maywood was charged with attempted murder and battery to a senior citizen. Bail was set at $50,000. According to police, three people—two men and a woman—stalked the victim now 73, of Oak Park, while she was shopping at Ultra Foods, 7250 Roosevelt Rd. Police said they followed her to the car and attempted to steal her purse as she was putting her groceries in the car. When the victim resisted, one of the men knocked her to the ground, and then kicked and stomped on her head. The three fled. The victim was treated for a fractured skull and a broken eye socket. Two of the suspects, Kenny Hollyfield and Robert Mix, both from Addison were taken into custody in late March 2011. Hollyfield was charged with aggravated battery, aggravated battery to a senior citizen, attempted first-degree murder and attempted robbery. Robert Mix was charged with aggravated battery, aggravated battery to a senior citizen and attempted robbery. They both were released on bail.

Gun Shots from a Balcony

At least two handguns and a number of live rounds of ammunition recovered from an apartment in the 300 block of Des Plaines Avenue after neighbors report multiple shots fired in mid-December. A 25-year-old man has been arrested, but charges have not yet been filed in connection with a series of shots that were fired Saturday night from the balcony of a building in the 300 block of Des Plaines Avenue, police said. The man, who has not yet been identified, will likely be charged with one count of reckless discharge of a firearm. A 17-year-old female in the apartment was placed in protective custody and also is being questioned in connection with the incident, police said. It could be weeks before charges are formally filed in connection with the incident, police said.

Subway Hit Three Times - Arrests Made

A Chicago man with an extensive criminal record has been arrested and two others remain at large in connection with an Oct. 27 late evening armed robbery at Subway, 319 Harlem Ave. Valentin W. Efrain, 29, was apprehended after a car chase through Forest Park and Berwyn. The Subway was hit by two burglaries earlier this month. Devon Lawery, 19, of the 4600 block of Monroe Street in Chicago, stands accused of them as well as two at JJ Fish, located in the same strip mall. Lawery is being held without bond in the Cook County Jail, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Thieves steal copper downspouts, wiring and piping for scrap metal—they even steal the brass picture frames at cemeteries. But in December, someone was stealing manhole covers from alleys in Forest Park. Police apprehended and charged Leon Jackson, 40, of Bellwood, on Dec. 8 with felony theft for taking the items from alleys in the village. The crime of this type was the first for Forest Park, and it's not as unusual as you'd think.

Hung Jury in 2009 Murder Trial

A hung jury was declared in the case of a Bellwood man accused of murder and attempted murder in connection with the shooting death of a Maywood woman on the Eisenhower Expy. in 2009. The  jury split 10-2 on whether to convict 32-year-old Darrel Topps of the shooting of 18-year-old Keyana Bates of Maywood in June 2009. The shooting was believed to be gang-related, police said.Topps remains in Cook County Jail.

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