Crime & Safety

Man Brings Rake to a Knife Fight: Weird Crimes

Knife pulled in hospital bathroom scuffle • Bank robber identified by funny hat • Shoplifters peppered with problems … This week's roundup of weird crime news in the Southland.

It Must Be His Bank-Robbing Hat


July 28: As far as bank robbers go, this one certainly stands out. 

Authorities released a photo of a man wearing a brightly colored hat who is believed to have robbed a bank in Oak Lawn. 

The robbery occurred at 1:47 p.m. in the TCF Bank branch located at 10350 S. Pulaski Rd., according to the Chicago FBI Office. The incident is being described as a "non-takeover style robbery." 

The suspect is described as a black male in his 20's who is about 5-foot, 7-inches tall, according to a description released by investigators. He was wearing a dark jacket and blue jeans at the time of the robbery. Atop his head was a brightly colored hat. 

If you have any information on the robbery or the suspect you are asked to call the Chicago FBI Office at 312-421-6700. 

Read more on Oak Lawn Patch

She Didn't Have Far To Go If She Had Been Stabbed


July 25: Do you think this victim refused to share a square?

LaDonna Madro, 39, of the 6500 block of Peoria Street, Chicago, was charged with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct, according to a report. She is accused of pointing a knife at about 12:12 am. at a visitor in the women's washroom of the emergency room of Little Company of Mary Hospital, 2800 W. 95th St.

Read more on Evergreen Park Patch

Spicy Shoplifters


July 26: Two women are accused of using pepper spray on Orland Park clothing store security guards while trying to take off with stolen clothing.

Zana Jackson, 19, of the 22800 block of Valley Drive, Richton Park, and Trinity D. Green, 18, of the first block of Marquette Street, Park Forest, were charged with one count each of armed robbery, Orland Park police said. Jackson's bail was set at $90,000 while Green's was set at $75,000.

Security guards for Macy's, 1 Orland Square Dr., approached the two women at about 3:15 p.m. after allegedly seeing them walk out with clothing and a purse they did not pay for, said Lt. James Bianchi of the Orland Park Police Department. When the guards tried to detain them in front of the store, Jackson pulled out a canister of pepper spray she had with her and used it on the guards. They then tried to run away with about $294 with of merchandise, police said.
Orland Park officers who were patrolling inside the mall arrived within a minute of receiving a report about the pepper spray attack and took the pair into custody, police said.

One of the guards was hospitalized, police said. None of the store employees hit with the pepper spray will suffer permanent damage. Jackson and Green are due on Aug. 1 in Bridgeview court.

Read more on Orland Park Patch

Rake At A Knife Fight


July 25: A Minnesota man either was having a really bad day or was taking yard work way too seriously. 

Deshawn Harden, 19, of Saint Paul, was charged with felony aggravated assault, Palos Hills police said. Harden was picked up at about 12:50 p.m. in the 10100 block of South 84th Terrace after police were called to look into a disturbance.

When they arrived, officers saw Harden swinging a metal rake, police said. They were able to get it out of his hands before speaking with the victims. Officers learned that an argument turned hostile and Harden went into the kitchen to grab a knife, police said. The victim said Harden held the knife to him. One of people with the victim wrestled the knife away, police said. That's when Harden ran outside to get the rake. Harden was due on July 26 in Bridgeview court. 

Read more on Palos Patch


Are you a fan of true crime? Like the Crime-n-Shame Facebook page for tales of mischief and woe from all over the Chicago area.

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