Police Blotter: Lake Forest, Lake Bluff

The following incidents were listed among the official reports of the Lake Forest and Lake Bluff Police Departments. Readers are reminded that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Only a court of law can make that determination.

LAKE FOREST

Theft

A resident reported the theft of two, 12-foot copper downspouts from a home in the 800 block of Barberry Lane on March 14. No additional damage or missing items were located.

Domestic Battery

Vallie Lazzaretto, 51, 728 Darvy Court, Indian Creek, Ill., was charged with domestic battery March 10 in the 1300 block of Edgewood Road. Lazzaretto caused bodily harm to a family member by striking the person in the back of the head and pushing them to the floor. He was transported to bond court March 10 in Waukegan. No further information was available.

LAKE BLUFF

DUI

Jody L. Mepham, 47, was charged with driving under the influence, expired vehicle registration and uninsured vehicle at 12:41 a.m. March 16 at the intersection of Ravine Forest Drive and Sheridan Road. Mepham was pulled for intially for erractic driving. He was given a April 15 court date after posting a $300 cash bond.

Domestic Battery

Police received a call from Richard Watson regarding his wife, Stephanie, 41, 314 E. Woodland Road, who had run out into the street with just her nightgown on at 7:17 a.m. March 16. Police said they found Stephanie Watson, 41, highly intoxicated and combative at the intersection of Woodland and Moffett roads. She screamed obscenities at the officers and after being taken back to her house, repeated the verbal attack on her husband. She then punched her husband, and after being advised she could be charged with domestic battery, hit her husband with a backpack. Officers placed her under arrest, and in trying to take her to the police vehicle, she refused to walk. They carried her to the vehicle at which time she bit the officer's hand when he put her in the back seat. Stephanie was charged with domestic battery, aggravated assault on a police officer and resisting arrest. She was transported to Lake County Jail where she was held on a $100,000 bond. No further information was available on the bond. She was given a March 28 court date in Waukegan.

Found Article

A brown in color holster was found outside the Lake Bluff Village Hall on March 19. Item was placed in found property at the police station.

Suspicious Circumstance

Officers responded to the Lake Bluff Train Depot for a report of unruly passengers on March 17. Officers arrived and spoke to Metra employees, who said there were two white males who refused to leave the train, and then were last seen running down to West Scranton Avenue. One was wearing a green and white striped shirt; the other was wearing an all-green shirt. A passenger on the train said the subjects may have been on the bike path heading to Lake Forest. No further action was taken.

Suspicious Circumstance

Officer responded to the Carriage Way Shopping Center for a report of two males panhandling behind Panera Bread, 201 S. Waukegan Road, on March 14. The officer was unable to locate the subjects upon arrival. Later, the officer observed the two males walk behind the Panera Bread, advised them it was illegal to panhandle and they left the area.

Public Complaint

An officer responded to the 300 block of Newman Court on March 13 for a report of someone disposing a large battery on his property. The battery was located on the front of the property, possibly on the village easement. The officer removed the battery to public works for recycling.

Criminal Damage

During a building check at the Lake Bluff Train Depot at 7:48 p.m. March 12, an officer discovered two windows shattered. There was no estimate of damage.

Stray Dog

An officer impounded a male gold lab at Knollwood Animal Hospital on March 12 after the dog was found on East North Avenue.