Latin King Gang Member Accused of Possessing Property Stolen From Cars: COPS

OAK LAWN, IL -- A documented Latin King gang member was arrested after Oak Lawn police found him walking around with property that had been stolen from unlocked cars, reports said. David Vasquez, 36, was charged with misdemeanor possession of stolen property. Felony charges may be forthcoming.

An officer on patrol saw a man dressed all in black walking along Cicero Avenue carrying a bag of golf clubs over his shoulder around 4:18 a.m. Oct. 15. Due to an uptick in car burglaries reported in the area, the officer stopped the man, later identified as Vasquez, reports said. Vasquez allegedly told the officer that the clubs belonged to his stepfather. He explained that he had picked up the golf clubs and other items from his friend’s house on Pulaski Road, near the area of 101st Street where several car burglaries had recently been reported, according to police.

The officer searched Vasquez, where he found cologne, deodorant, a car charger, a GPS, women’s eyeglasses, a sparkly whistle, knife, box cutter and screwdriver along with $32.48 in change, inside the lining of Vasquez’s jacket, reports said. Informed of the recent burglaries, Vasquz denied breaking into any cars. He allegedly told the officer that a pink Elvis coin purse in his possession belonged to his stepdaughter.

Police were able to located a receipt in the golf bag with the owner’s name on it, police said. Officers contacted the owner who lives in the area of the car burglaries near 101st Street, who confirmed that his golf clubs were missing from his car. Police noticed that other cars in the area had been rummaged through.

Vasquez has previous arrests in New York, New Jersey and Oak Lawn for burglary. Vasquez uses heroin and is a documented Latin King gang member, police said. Vasquez is due back in court Nov. 2 in Bridgeivew.