Auto Parts Delivery Driver Pocketed Customers' Cash: Blotter

FRIDAY, DEC. 11

Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Illegal Possession of Ammunition

Giovonte Barnes, 21, of Gary, Ind., was arrested and charged with driving under the influence, unlawful use of a weapon, illegal possession of ammunition, possession of marijuana, driving without insurance, speeding and illegal transportation of an open container of alcohol after a Dec. 11 traffic stop, according to Homewood police reports.

Police clocked Barnes at about 12:33 a.m., going 61 mph in a 30-mph zone in the 1300 block of 183rd Street, the report stated. During the stop, Barnes did not have proof of insurance, and a background check indicated his Indiana license had been suspended, the report added.

The officer then asked Barnes if he had been smoking marijuana or drinking, and Barnes admitted to both, the report stated. When the officer walked over to the front passenger side, he saw a magazine for a firearm inside the vehicle, according to the report. A search of the car uncovered .45 caliber Hi-Point handgun and six live rounds of Sellier & Bellot ammunition in the magazine, the report added.

Once in custody at the station, Barnes was found to be carrying a small plastic bag that contained 1.7 grams of a green substance that field tested as pot, the report stated.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 9

Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Speeding

Quinton Battaglia, 19, of the 2000 block of Thorndale Road, Frankfort, was arrested and charged with unlawful use of a weapon, speeding, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without insurance after a Dec. 9 traffic stop, according to Homewood police reports.

Police clocked Battaglia at about 11:51 a.m., going 36 mph in a 25-mph zone in the 18500 block of May Road, the report stated. During the stop, the officer noticed a blue grinder used with marijuana in the center console, the report added.

A search of the vehicle also revealed a pair of metal knuckles, as well as drug paraphernalia, the report stated.

Retail Theft

Jakyla Lewis, 19, of the 6400 block of Briday Pass, Matteson, was arrested and charged with retail theft after being accused of “under ringing” items as an employee at Target, according to Homewood police reports.

On three occasions between Nov. 26 and Dec. 5, the store, 17605 S. Halsted St., claims Lewis rang up merchandise for customers, then voided it, while the customers left with the items, the report stated. The amount of voided transactions totaled $190.22.

TUESDAY, DEC. 8

Retail Theft

Slawomir Spzak, 39, of the 10100 block of 80th Court, Palos Hills, was arrested and charged with retail theft after being accused of trying to steal two security systems Dec. 8 from Menards, according to Homewood police reports.

A loss prevention agent from the store, 17545 S. Halsted St., stopped Spzak at about 8:45 a.m. as he was loading lumber materials he had paid for into his vehicle, the report stated. The agent told police that Spzak was loading two security systems that he had not purchased into his car, as well, the report added.

The cost of the systems was $548.

Misdemeanor Theft

Adam Salazar, 33, of the 10500 block of Avenue H, Chicago, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor theft after being accused of stealing from his workplace over a series of months, according to Homewood police reports.

Pep Boys, 18024 S. Halsted St., claims Salazar, who worked at the auto parts store as a delivery driver, stole $665.19 from April 16 to Dec. 3, the report stated. Salazar allegedly took cash payments from clients he was delivering to and then pocketed some of the money for himself, the report added.

Police Blotter information is provided by local law enforcement agencies. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions taken on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.