Angry At Fare, Passenger Chokes Cabbie

He became upset when he had to pay a fuel charge and tax. An arrest is merely an accusation, not evidence of a conviction.

Steven Thomas, 42, of Niles was charged with battery after a dispute with a taxi driver on Saturday just before 11 p.m. Police said Stevens became upset when he heard the taxi driver tell him he would have to pay a fuel surcharge and taxes in addition to the taxi fare, and when the cabbie requested the money, Stevens grabbed him by the throat and began squeezing his neck. This happened inside a building at 6300 Touhy, near the elevators. The cabbie was able to break away and building security was able to separate the two until police arrived, according to the report.  The cabbie wanted the offender prosecuted for battery and said he would sign complaints. Thomas' court date is June 8 in the Skokie branch of the Cook County courts. Man …

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Ex-Couple Disagree On Battery Incident

Woman says he beat her, man says he wasn't there that day. They have a child together.

A 24-year-old woman who lives in the 9200 block of Courtland, Niles, called police Feb. 11 at about 3:50 p.m. to say her 22-year-old ex-boyfriend had come to her home about 40 minutes earlier to pick up a Toyota Corolla and that she had let him in to see their child.  She said the ex-boyfriend, with whom a breakup had occurred about three weeks ago, argued with her about a previous boyfriend, became angry, punched her in the stomach, pulled out some of her hair and grabbed her arms. The responding officer observed redness and scratches on the inside of her forearms.  Police phoned the ex-boyfriend and he came to the Niles Police Department later that day. He said he had come to the woman's residence to get the car, but that it was about …

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UPDATE: Murder Suspect Had Violent Record, Drug Issues

Judge set bond at $8 million for 24-year-old Wilmette resident Anthony Rapoport, for allegedly beating his aunt to death with an aluminum bat.

Hershel Rapoport had been upstairs with his wife on Christmas Day when he heard a loud argument in the kitchen. As the disagreement escalated, Rapoport came downstairs in time to see his grandson, Anthony Rapoport, bludgeon Anthony's aunt Nancee Rapoport with an aluminum baseball bat, according to police reports and testimony held in court Monday. Nancee died Sunday from the head injuries she sustained, Assistant State's Attorney Supervisor Robert Heilingoetter told the court. Anthony appeared in Skokie at the Second Municipal District Circuit Court of Cook County Monday for a bond hearing on a charge of first degree murder. Bail was set at $8 million in cash. Police arrested Anthony the day before the slaying, on Christmas Eve, after they…

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Remodeling Dispute Leads to Battery Charge

Dissatisfied homeowner scuffles with contractor after refusing to pay for work.

Dimitri Ajazi, 38, of Niles was charged with battery Saturday after a fight with a construction contractor who was remodeling his bathroom. Ajazi was dissatisfied with the work the contractor performed, according to police, and the contractor told Ajazi that he would correct the work. Ajazi declined, fired the contractor and refused to pay him the balance due. Police reported that the contractor told Ajazi his attorney would be calling to collect the money owed and then started to leave the house. When the contractor turned toward the door, Ajazi jumped on his back and began punching him in the face. The contractor told police they both fell through the doorway onto the driveway, but he was able to call police. Both men had scratches on …

Man Charged With Battery for Head-Butting Victim

The victim was bleeding from his nose and mouth.

Raphael Skibowski, 22. of North Central Avenue, Chicago, was charged with battery after police responded to a call from someone who said he got beaten by Skibowski in the 7200 block of Monroe, Niles, Thursday. The victim, who was bleeding from the nose and mouth, told police Skibowski fled east on Monroe, and police picked him up and the victim identified him as the attacker. Responding Niles Fire Department personnel said the victim had major swelling and a minor laceration to his facial area, including a possible broken nose, along with a broken front tooth. Two witnesses indicated they heard Skibowski and the victim arguing over a girl, and after the argument became heated, Skibowski began head-butting the victim several times, then …