best of the blotter: Teddy Bear Graffiti Kills

ATTEMPTED FRAUD, HAMLET HILLS DRIVE: A resident of Hamlet Village, 92, reported June 29 that he had received a phone call from someone claiming to be his grandson, stating that he’d had a car accident in Madrid, Spain, and needed $1,700 to be wired to him there. The caller further stated that he was embarrassed by the whole ordeal and asked his grandfather not to tell anyone else about it and he would call back later for a tracking number. The man told police that he later realized he didn’t have a grandson, then successfully got a refund from Western Union, and when the suspect called back, told him not to contact him anymore because he was going to notify police.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, CLEVELAND STREET: Police are investigating the appearance of graffiti near the Spillway project, where sometime between June 20 and June 30, someone drew on the retaining wall on the north side of the bridge, which is public property and will be removed by the village, as well as some private property. Some of the artwork appears to be a drawing of a teddy bear, police said.

Shrieking Geese
A Chatman Drive resident asked police to look into a strange situation at Hunter's Hollow.
The man said Friday that for the last few nights, he and his girlfriend hear geese shrieking around 2 a.m. at the apartment complex off Pearl Road.
When they go to investigate, they find a single feather.
Police told him to report the incidents when they occur so officers can check them out.

Police called for poetry
Police received a call that a man and woman were “running up and down” Detroit Avenue yelling at around 2:30 a.m. June 26. Turns out they were reciting poetry while waiting for a bus.

SUSPICIOUS, FAIRLAWN DRIVE: A resident tipped police off to a potential crime June 19.
The informant reported an odor coming from the neighbor’s trash and advised there could be body parts inside.
An officer examined the garbage and found spoiled left-over food with maggots, due to the heat. He re-bagged the trash.

DISTURBANCE, WEST RIVER DRIVE: With teens yelling and screaming, a white pick-up truck was observed cruising down the road after 10 p.m. June 11.
Officers found three boys catching frogs they saw hopping on the road illuminated by the vehicle’s headlights.
The frogs were released and the boys were sent home.

ANIMAL COMPLAINT, WEST RIDGE DRIVE: A raccoon was found in a home basement by the owner June 21.
The woman asked an officer for help. Upon his arrival, the raccoon left using a cat door.

 ANIMAL COMPLAINT, DEERFOOT TRIAL: Finding a nest of skunks under his desk, a man called police June 15 to advise them he planned to shoot them.
Shortly after his call, a neighbor called to complain about hearing gunfire.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF, LIBERTY ROAD: A woman told police on June 19 that someone put chocolate syrup on her garage door. She said it was the third time such an incident had occurred.
The police report notes that the woman said the syrup was sprayed upon the garage door in a way that “resembles a Jackson Pollack interpretation.” The woman suspects children in the area are responsible.