Alleged Dealers Targeted In Drug Sting Arrested At Courthouse

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- Two Chicago men who allegedly sold crack and heroin to undercover Evergreen Park police officer were both arrested at the Bridgeview Courthouse on Tuesday. Vincent Madden, 27, and Lyndell DeYoung, 27, both appeared before Judge Peter Felice on assorted felony charges of delivery and possession of a controlled substance. DeYoung was arrested Tuesday when he showed up for a hearing on another unrelated case; Madden was arrested waiting for him in the parking lot, prosecutors said.

According to the charges, an undercover officer from the Evergreen Park Police Department, called a phone number and arranged a drug deal on Nov. 14. The officer went to Springfield and 85th Street when a man, later identified as DeYoung, arrived at the meet-up, the prosecutor said. DeYoung allegedly sold the officer 1.3 grams of heroin for $40. (SUBSCRIBE: Get Real-Time Alerts and a Daily Newsletter for Evergreen Park.)

On Nov. 16, the same officer called the same phone number, where he arranged a meeting at the same location as before. Once more, the prosecutor said, DeYoung arrived and sold four baggies of heroin weighing 1.2 grams of heroin and .2 grams of crack for $60 to the officer. The prosecutor said DeYoung met the officer on Nov. 21, where more money, heroin and crack exchanged hands.

Madden allegedly showed up for the fourth buy on Nov. 24. The prosecutor said Madden sold the undercover cop .9 grams of crack-cocaine for $50. All the alleged drug buys happened at the same 85th Street and Springfield Ave location.

Officers arrested DeYoung on Nov. 27, when he showed up for court for another matter. Madden was arrested in the courthouse parking lot, where police found seven knotted bags, 4.5 grams of crack, 10 knotted bags of heroin, and three drugs of suspected cannabis in the vehicle, the prosecutor said. Madden allegedly admitted that the drugs were his.

“In the parking lot here at the courthouse,” Felice asked incredulously.

The prosecutor said Madden was sentenced to probation on a previous drug conviction, which terminated unsatisfactorily. DeYoung has a pending drug case from Oct. 15 in Oak Lawn, according to court records.

The assistant public defender told the judge the allegations were non-violent and asked for a reasonable bond.

“I consider these violent offenses,” Felice said. “Heroin mixed with fentanyl is killing people. [DeYoung] is also out on bond for the same thing he’s charged with here.”

Bail for DeYoung was set at $250,000. Madden’s bail was set at $50,000. Both are due back Dec. 3 for a bond review.