OMG PD: Odd Crimes in Our Patch Region

Local police departments provided the following reports. In all incidents where an arrest occurred, a charge is merely an accusation and not evidence of guilt.

A very messy crime streak

For , Northbrook police are investigating a vandalized Porta-Potty, this time one that was tipped over.

Skokie police observed a Glenview man hiding behind a bush and “peeking” at two officers who were conducting a separate traffic stop. When the man realized he was discovered, he walked back to his parked vehicle and drove off. Police pulled him over. He allegedly failed a Breathalyzer test and was charged with DUI.

A Des Plaines police officer called out to a man after he entered a park after dark, which is against city ordinance. According to police, the man ran and swore at the officer. The officer caught up with him and forced the screaming and resisting man to the ground. When police asked him why he ran, he said he'd had a "particularly hard day."

The same man was stopped by police earlier this year for allegedly attempting to steal a police car from the station parking lot. He claimed to have found the key in his home. It was later determined that the key was not a squad car key. He told cops he planned to return the vehicle.

Criminals get hot, too

Theft suspects were caught on surveillance video climbing a 6-foot tall wooden fence to private property in Northbrook, where they removed old air conditioner units worth $500.

Glencoe police stopped a car for failing to signal at a turn. When the 19-year passenger opened the glove box for insurance and registration, police said some marijuana fell out along with a glass pipe. The passenger was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Fifteen to 20 teens rushed inside a Skokie gas station and grabbed merchandise before they fled the store. One of the suspects pushed the clerk and took his $600 cell phone.

Two teenagers, who appeared about 16 years old, took several frozen pizzas from a Skokie business and ran out the front door. The value of the pizzas was about $25.

A Skokie man riding in the back seat of a vehicle allegedly became belligerent when police stopped the vehicle during a DUI checkpoint.

The man got out of the vehicle and began running eastbound with his middle finger toward police screaming, “(expletive) you, you think you can stop me?”

Police stopped him and charged him with being a pedestrian under the influence of alcohol and resisting arrest.