K9 Traces Passed Out Driver To Lawn After Crash: Blotter

LAKE FOREST, IL — The following information comes from the Lake Forest Police Department and court records as a record of those arrested by police. Readers are reminded that an arrest is not an indication of guilt and criminal charges, which represent merely accusations by the state, are often dropped or reduced. Updated information may be available from the Lake County Circuit Clerk of Courts. All persons named are innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

INCIDENTS

On the morning of July 28 police were called to multiple separate car burglary incidents. A Timber Drive resident reported someone stole a 2015 BMW that had been left unlocked in their driveway with the keys inside. An Onwentsia Road resident reported that someone stole a 2011 Land Rover that had been left parked overnight with the keys inside. Residents on Basswood and Forest Hill roads reported people had gotten into unlocked cars and stolen various items from inside.

Both vehicles were recovered in the south suburbs. The BMW was later found in Dolton, and the Land Rover was later found in Calumet City after being involved in a pursuit with Chicago police. The Calumet City Police Department later found a gun in the abandoned car. No arrests or suspects were identified as of the time of the report. In one case, police said the car thieves used a garage door opener to get into a garage in order to steal another car from one of the locations. Police reminded residents cars that keeping cars locked and without keys inside while not in use prevents such crimes with little effort.

ARRESTS/CITATIONS

A 19-year-old Beach Park man was arrested at 5:29 p.m. on July 21 following a traffic stop in the area of West Everett Road and Lakewood Drive and charged with driving with a suspended license. Police also issued him a citation for possession of cannabis and drug paraphernalia that was found him his white 1996 Mercury.

Amaro Bautista-Hernandez, 31, of the 4200 block of Hickory Hills Drive in Waukegan, was arrested at 1:29 a.m. on July 22 and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol following a traffic stop on Route 41 near Gage Lane. Police got multiple 911 calls about a northbound dark-colored minivan that had struck a center median and kept driving, swerving across lanes of traffic. Officers caught up to the van and spoke to the driver, who appeared to be impaired. A breath test later indicated his blood alcohol concentration was 0.13, close to twice the legal limit.

A 20-year-old Waukegan man was arrested at 2:11 a.m. on July 22 following a traffic stop near the intersection of Green Bay Road and Vine Avenue and charged with minor consumption of alcohol, zero tolerance while driving and possession of cannabis. Police pulled over a blue Acura for a traffic violation and smelled alcohol on marijuana coming from the vehicle.

A 36-year-old North Chicago man was pulled over for using a cell phone around 5:19 p.m. on July 22 near the intersection of Waukegan Road and Gloucester Crossing and found to be driving with a revoked license.

A 27-year-old Waukegan woman was arrested at 2:15 p.m. on July 23 in the 800 block of Waukegan Road and charged with driving with a suspended license and without vehicle insurance following a traffic stop.

David R. Costello, 47, of the 500 block of West Everett Road in Lake Forest, was arrested and charged with a violation of a public park zone by a child sex offender in connection with an incident around 10 a.m. on July 17 in the 400 block of Hastings Road. Detectives investigated reports he had been seen attending softball games in the park area between Deerpath Middle School and the Lake Forest Recreation Center and determined it was "in direct violation" of restrictions of his status as a registered sex offender.

A 29-year-old Waukegan man was arrested at 1:50 a.m. on July 26 near the intersection of Route 41 and Deerpath Road and charged with driving with a revoked license and ticketed for speeding 74 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Brian H. Koopman, 56, of the 100 block of South Central Avenue in Highwood, was arrested after police were called around 2 a.m. on July 27 to the intersection of Route 41 and Route 60. Police received multiple 911 calls about a white van that had hit some trees after leaving the road. Officers were not immediately able to find the driver, but a K9 unit followed a track from the crash site to Koopman passed out in the yard of a house on Onwentsia Road. After being taken to the hospital by the Lake Forest Fire Department, he was charged with felony driving under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident, driving with a revoked license and without insurance.

Steven D. Hilliard, 29, of the 9800 block of Michigan Boulevard in Beach Park, was arrested after a traffic stop at 12:51 a.m. on July 28 near the intersection of Route 41 and Gage Lane and charged with felony driving under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license, as well as endangering the life of a child and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Police pulled over a white Honda Civic that was being driven in dangerously, and when they approached they noted three children in the back seat without proper car seats. Prosecutors upgraded his charges to felonies based on previous convictions and his suspended license.

Hugo Victor Flores-Damian, 31, 900 block of Commonwealth Avenue in Waukegan, was arrested around 4:30 a.m. on July 29 near the intersection of Route 41 and Deerpath Road and charged with aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol, driving with a suspended license, DUI and illegal transportation of alcohol after police were called the area of Route 41 and Old Elm Road about a red SUV swerving across lanes. Officers witnessed Flores-Damian commit various traffic offense and pulled him over. Police smelled alcohol coming from the car and noticed two clear plastic cups containing a red liquid. He did not pass field sobriety tests was found not to have a valid divers' license. Prosecutors approved a felony charge based on his past record and convictions.

Charles C. Wimmer, 50, of the 1200 block of North Western Avenue in Lake Forest, was arrested at 12:23 p.m. on Aug. 2 in the 1200 block of Western Avenue and charged with aggravated battery to someone over 60 after police were called to a report of a fight between two men in which Wimmer punched an 86-year-old man in the face.

Dennis J. Green, 24, of the 1900 block of Rodenburg Road in Roselle, was arrested at 9:25 p.m. on Aug. 2 and charged with driving under the influence of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving without insurance and improper lane usage after police near the intersection of Waukegan and Old Mill roads. Police responded to a two-car crash, in which a black pickup reportedly crossed over the center line and struck a black sedan, severely injuring a woman. Officers noticed Green had bloodshot eyes, he was acting confused and admitted smoking marijuana.

Lynda S. Dehler, 69, of the 100 block of Little Melody Lane in Lake Forest, was arrested at 6:05 a.m. on Aug. 3 in the area of Saddle Run and Hunter Lane and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and driving without a valid license. Police got a driving complaint about a black van heading north from Highland Park. After Dehler was pulled over for a traffic infraction, she got out of the car and walked over to an officer, who reportedly could smell alcohol on her and thought she appeared impaired. She admitted drinking three beers and was charged with misdemeanor DUI.

A 36-year-old North Chicago man was arrested around 5 a.m. on Aug. 4 near the intersection of Route 41 and Deerpath Road and charged with driving with a suspended license after police noticed him driving 80 mph in a 55 mph zone and pulled him over. He was also ticketed for speeding.

A 31-year-old Waukegan man was arrested at 5:48 p.m. on Aug. 4 near the intersection of Route 41 and Route 60 and charged with driving with a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle after he was pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt.

Joseph P. Cleary, 52, of the 2500 block of Elisha Avenue in Zion, was arrested around 11:42 p.m. on Aug. 5 after police got a 911 call about two people fighting including someone yelling about drunk driving. He reportedly admitted to hitting a person and was charged with domestic battery and driving with a suspended license.

Last month: 'Disoriented' Man With Warrant; Drunk Teen Speeding: Lake Forest Police Blotter: July 6 - July 20

Stay Patched In!

• Like our Crime page on Facebook
• Check out the Events Calendar for what’s going on
• Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Lake Forest and Lake Bluff news
• Like the Lake Forest Patch on Facebook
• Patch Mobile: Get app for iPhone and Android

_{Top photo via Patch file, Jonah Meadows}