Niles Felony Arrest Yields 7 Hypodermic Needles

Carl LaCalamita, 51, of Hoffman Estates, was charged with Class 4 Felony retail theft and possession of a hypodermic needle after he was stopped by security agents at a Golf Mill Shopping Center store June 29. 

The security agent watched on video surveillance as LaCalamita removed a pair of New Balance shoes from a display shelf and put them on his feet, then put his old shoes in the shoebox, according to police reports. He exited the store without paying for the shoes, valued at $40 plus tax. The security agent stopped him, and told police he had seen LaCalamita take New Balance shoes a few times without paying, but was unable to stop him on those prior times.

Police placed him into a squad car, which was searched before he was seated, according to the report.  

The officer noticed LaCalamita was moving around in the back seat, leaning forward and moving his hands around his lower back area. After police removed LaCalamita from the vehicle at the police station, they found a clear plastic sandwich bag containing seven hypodermic needles and the bottom of an aluminum soda can, the report indicated. LaCalamita admitted he had hidden the items in his pants.

A further search of his person yielded no more contraband, police said.

Because of prior convictions, Assistant State's Attorney Cornelius Williams approved felony charges for retail theft. LaCalamita was scheduled to appear in the Skokie branch of the Cook County courts July 9. 

Woman charged with felony aggravated DUI

Andrea Siqueira, 30, of Niles, was charged with Class 4 Felony aggravated DUI and driving without a valid driver's license June 30 at 3 a.m. when she was driving in the 7400 block of Milwaukee Avenue. Police stopped her for erratic driving, according to the report, and said she had a moderate odor of alcohol on her breath. She presented an international driver's license, but did not produce a valid driver's license from any other state or country, the report indicated. 

She told police she had been at a nightclub downtown, but did not have alcohol there, according to the report. She showed impairment on field sobriety tests. An assistant state's attorney approved a felony charge for DUI while driving without a valid driver's license. She was also cited for improper lane usage. Her court date was scheduled for July 9 in Skokie. 

Information is taken from Niles Police Department reports. 

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