Police, Fire and Court Reports

By Erica L. Green
Medill Reports - Chicago

Kathleen Lynch was 7 years old when her father was found lying at Polk and Clark streets under his police motorcycle.

She was told by his fellow patrolmen that his fatal injuries were a result of an apparent hit and run - and that Chicago police officer Samuel Lynch died a hero.

Nearly 40 years later, Lynch said as she watched her father's star officially enshrined in the Superintendent's Honored Star Case Feb. 19 that she can now believe it.

By Ali Reed
Medill Reports - Chicago

Chicago police beat cops may soon carry a Taser with them on the streets. The city hopes to add an additional 2,500 of the electric-shock guns to the 350 they already have.

"I don't think it's right," said Janet Parker, a Chicago resident. "It causes too many unnecessary deaths."

The Chicago Sun-Times has reported that Chicago police are seeking bids for the additional weapons, which use an electric shock to immobilize a suspect. The department did not return calls seeking confirmation.

Location(s)

Neighbors in Mount Greenwood and Beverly have been the victims of three robberies committed on Valentine's Day alone.

The first occurred in Mount Greenwood, where a woman approached an 80-year-old woman from behind as she walked up the steps of her house at approximately 11:05 a.m. Feb. 14 in the 10800 block of South Albany Avenue. The robber snatched the woman's purse and fled with a man in a red two-door vehicle, according to police. The purse contained $500, the victim told police.

A man has been arrested after a police chase that began as an attempted traffic stop ended in a chase and serious crash at the intersection of 111th Street and Kedzie Avenue at 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

Merrionette Park police attempted to stop the vehicle in Merrionette Park, but a chase ensued and led to the crash that led to two injuries, according to police spokesmen.

One victim was listed in critical condition at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. The other was treated for minor injuries and released. Police later arrested him.

A 16-year-old Morgan Park High School student has pleaded guilty to the two counts of battery in the beating of 14-year-old Beverly boy Ryan Rusch in July 2006. The plea was in exchange for dropped attempted murder charges.

Edward Tamborino, 26, of Hometown, was charged with drunken driving following an early-morning crash in Mount Greenwood Tuesday. Tamborino, who was appointed by the Oak Lawn Police Department in April as a probationary patrol officer, was off duty during the crash.

Shortly after 4 a.m. Tuesday, Tambornino was driving a 2006 Chrysler Sebring north on Pulaski Road when he struck the back of a truck near 101st Street, in what seems to be a high-speed collision, according to police.

By Gary Cohen
Medill Reports - Chicago

The signs are everywhere: Heavy logging chains. Gnawed bicycle tires hanging from trees. Specially rigged treadmills. Pit bulls with deep, bloody gouges on their faces, muzzles and forelegs and the damaged spirit reflective of a ritualistic pattern of neglect and abuse.

By Gary Cohen
Medill Reports - Chicago

From birth fighting dogs are trained to do only one thing - attack and kill other animals. The American pit bull terrier, a strong, determined breed with a high prey drive, has become the animal of choice for dogfighters in recent years.

Pit bulls are bred by dogfighters for aggression the same way racehorses are bred for speed, said Serrano. Only animals with unusual levels of hostility and consistent success in the ring are being bred. The practice is creating a race of pit bulls with elevated aggression levels toward other animals.