South Suburban DUI Arrests, Nov. 17

TINLEY PARK

Nov. 9: A driver who had trouble telling police where she lives faces drunken driving charges.

Jaime L. Barta, 24, of the 9000 block of Magnolia Lane, was charged with driving under the influence, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08 improper lane use and making an improper turn, according to a Tinley Park police report.

A cop noticed a vehicle in front of him make a wide right turn, turning into the left hand lane of traffic on Harlem Avenue at about 10:40 p.m., the report states. The officer followed the car and noticed that the tires cross the painted road lines several times before striking the raised median and pulling into a left turn lane. It then nearly struck vehicle while making a left turn.

Police turned their lights and sirens but the vehicle continued to drive along without stopping, the report states. It made two more turns before coming to a stop. Cops spoke with the driver, Barta, who they noticed had a strong odor of alcohol on her breath.

Cops asked for her driver's license and proof of insurance, the report states. Barta handed an officer her health insurance card and a $5 bill. She told police through slurred speech she was coming from a Tinley Park bar. After getting her license, police asked Barta if she still lived in Tinley Park. She said he had moved to Chicago. When police asked when she moved, she replied that she lived in Tinley Park.

Barta performed field sobriety tests, during which she stated "I know I failed," the report states. She was arrested and booked. While in custody at the Tinley Park Police Department, Barta took a breath test that resulted in a 0.214.

Nov. 7: A Tinley Park man who changed his story about what he had to drink the night he got into a crash faces drunken driving charges, according to police.

Robert R. McManus, 29, of the 18200 block of South 66th Avenue, Tinley Park, was charged with driving under the influence, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, failing to reduce speed to avoid crash, improper lane use and driving without insurance, according to a Tinley Park report.

Police investigated a traffic crash at about 8:54 p.m. in the 6600 block of 181st Street, the report states. Cops found a black Ford Fusion in the grass on the north side of 181st Street that had struck a ComEd utility box. Nearby, a red Chevrolet Tahoe was parked in the eastbound lane. Vehicle parts were spread across the ground from the Tahoe to the Fusion.

The Fusion suffered substantial damage to the front bumper and side fender, the report states. The driver of the Tahoe told police she was hit from behind while parked to drop her father off.

McManus, the Fusion driver, said he wasn't sure how he hit the SUV, the report states. He spoke with slurred speech and told police he had five beers over three hours. McManus had been on his way home from the bar.

While taking tests for sobriety, McManus again claimed he drank five beers, the report states. He then told police that he was allergic to beer and actually had been drinking "Rum and Cokes."

Police arrested McManus and gave him a breath test that resulted in a BAL of 0.206, the report states.

McManus is due on Jan. 2 in Bridgeview court.

HOMEWOOD

Nov. 10: A Glenwood man faces several drinking-related charges following a Homewood arrest.

Police say they saw 35-year-old Nathaniel Hull of Glenwood swerving over the median lane while driving eastbound in the 1200 block of 183rd Street around 2:40 a.m.

Hull was pulled over, and while he was fumbling through his wallet for his license and registration, Homewood cops noticed an open bottle of Svedka and two plastic Bud Light drinking cups on the passenger side floor, according to the report. Police say Hull failed a field sobriety test, and was taken into the Homewood Police Department where he blew a .167 on a breath test.

Hull was charged with the following:

• Driving under the influence of alcohol

• Driving with a blood alcohol content of greater than .08

• Illegal transportation of alcoholic liquor

• Improper lane usage

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Police report information is provided by local police departments. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.

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