Crime & Safety

Speed Dating Takes on a New Meaning: Weird Crimes

A call for help ends up costing a New Lenox woman $2,000 • 'Carefree' driver bats her eyes at cop … This week's roundup of weird crime news in the Southland.

By Nick Swedberg, Police Field Editor

Experiences in Bad Dating


July 28: An Oak Lawn woman was charged with a felony after a brief chase with police in a car reported stolen by her date, police said.

Stephanie B. Hale, 33, of the 9700 block of South Karlov Avenue, was charged with aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude police, criminal trespass to a vehicle and driving with a revoked license, Oak Lawn police said.

Hale threw her hands into the air and told officers that she tried to get away because she doesn't have a license, police said. She refused to answer questions about whether she had been drinking and was arrested. Earlier that night, police took a report about a Fusion reported stolen from a bar in the 5300 block of West 95th Street, the report states. Hale told police while in custody that the owner of the car is the friend of a man she dated four years ago. She and the co-owner became reacquainted through a dating website and met at the bar. She said that the car owner "definitely" allowed her to use the Fusion.

The Cook County State's Attorney's Office approved charges and Hale was booked. She was given a court of July 29.

Read more on Oak Lawn Patch

Kindness Rewarded With Theft


July 29: A trusting woman fell prey to a "relative" asking for money.

A New Lenox woman wired $2,000 to someone claiming to be a relative who was involved in an accident, according to a report. The woman spoke with the relative after wiring the money to an attorney who was out of the country and found that the family member had never requested the cash.

Read more on New Lenox Patch

Quick Bat of the Eyes Fails to Win Over Cop


July 24: A "confused and carefree" driver ended up in trouble with Orland Park police during a recent traffic stop.

Sabrina M. Rivera, 28, of the 9100 block of Carlisle Lane, Orland Park, was charged with driving under the influence, speeding, failing to signal, improper lane use and driving without a license, according to a report. Police spotted a car driven by Rivera that was traveling 50 mph in a 35 mph zone and performed a traffic stop. When asked by police if she was aware why she was stopped, Rivera reportedly stared blankly at the officer, batted her eyes and said "Hi." The cop described the driver as being "confused as carefree" during the stop. She was arrested after performing field sobriety tests. She also refused to take a breath test. 

Rivera is due on Sept. 3 in Bridgeview court.

Read more on Orland Park Patch

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