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Shots Fired at Vehicle — Victim Was Followed and Targeted: Police

9/14/2017

BURBANK, Ill. — Burbank police officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 8200 block of Lamon Avenue around 6:23 p.m. Saturday night.

According to Division Chief Mike Dudlo of the Burbank Police Department, a 21-year-old Chicago man driving a Nissan Maxima, told police he was being followed by a Ford Crown Victoria occupied by three Hispanic men.

The driver of the Nissan told police he first noticed the Ford tailing him near 83rd Street and Kostner Avenue in Chicago. According to the victim, one of the men in the Ford opened fire at his car shortly after crossing Cicero Avenue into Burbank.

Neighbors reported hearing four gunshots. No one was injured in the incident, according to police.

Dudlo said the victim’s Nissan sustained several bullet holes and investigators collected several .45 caliber shell casings at the scene.

Dudlo said detectives are reviewing footage from city owned surveillance cameras and license plate readers in the area in an attempt to identify the Ford.

“We believe this is not a random act as it appears the victim was followed and targeted,” Dudlo said in an email. “Anyone having information about this incident, is urged to contact the Burbank Police Department at 708-924-7300. As always, they can remain anonymous.”

© The Burbank Beat 2017. All rights reserved

Mother and Baby Unhurt After Car Crashes Into House: Police

8/23/2017

Image via Burbank Police Department

BURBANK, Ill. — A driver of a Toyota Camry slammed into a Burbank single-family home around 10:40 a.m. Tuesday causing major damage to the structure.

The driver was southbound on Natchez Avenue when he failed to negotiate the corner of the T-intersection at 81st Place and crashed into the house.

The gold Camry traveled across the front lawn — just missing a small statue of the Virgin Mary surrounded by red flowers — and plowed through the front wall of the building toppling bricks, shattering glass, and splintering plywood and two-by-fours.

The vehicle came to rest with it’s front end penetrating into the home and inches from the gas meter. Fearing a gas leak, Burbank firefighters sprayed the area with a chemical foam to prevent a fire and explosion.

Burbank Police Chief Rick Shore said the driver, a 63 year-old Burbank man, had to be extricated from the vehicle and was taken by EMS to an area hospital. The man was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

According to police, the occupants of the home, a mother and her 1 year-old baby, were in another part of the house at the time of the crash and escaped uninjured.

Division Chief Mike Dudlo of the Burbank Police Department said the driver appeared to be suffering from an unknown medical condition and believes alcohol or drugs were not a factor in the crash.

The driver is undergoing tests at the hospital and traffic charges are pending as part of the active investigation, according to Dudlo.

City of Burbank building inspectors were on scene and deemed the home uninhabitable.

As the Camry was being winched from the wreckage, a pair of Burbank firefighters reverently relocated the Virgin Mary statue out of harms way.

© The Burbank Beat 2017. All rights reserved

Reavis Student Attacked and Robbed While Walking to School

8/8/2017

BURBANK, Ill. — Police say a Reavis student was pistol whipped and robbed while on his way to football practice at the school Tuesday morning.

Division Chief Mike Dudlo of the Burbank Police Department said the 16-year-old student was walking westbound on 77th Street near Mayfield Avenue around 8:25 a.m. when he was approached by a man with a gun.

"The offender ordered the student to give up his money," Dudlo said in an email. "When the student advised he did not have any money, the offender struck the student in the head with the gun."

The man proceeded to take personal items from the student before entering a vehicle — possibly a black SUV — that was last seen traveling southbound on Mason Avenue.

The teen was transported to an area hospital for treatment of what Dudlo said was a “non-life threatening” head injury.

Dudlo said no shots were fired and called the incident a random act.

The offender was described as a black male.

Dudlo said Burbank investigators are looking to see if there is a link to similar incidents in Chicago and Evergreen Park that occurred a short time earlier.

About an hour before the Reavis student was robbed, a woman was attacked and her purse was taken near 83rd Street and Kedzie Avenue in Chicago. The woman reported she had been pistol whipped by a black male.

Evergreen Park police are investigating an attempted armed robbery that occurred about 20 minutes later at 87th Street and Kedzie Avenue. Police said the victim's vehicle was shot at by a black male driving a black SUV.

“Our investigation is active and we are actively trying to obtain video — both residential and city surveillance,” Dudlo said. “Anyone with information is urged to contact the Burbank Police Department 708-924-7300. As always, they can remain anonymous if they wish.”

Related: Man Shot At In Traffic In Evergreen Park: Cops

© The Burbank Beat 2017. All rights reserved

Man Shot While Driving In Burbank: Police

8/4/2017

BURBANK, Ill. — A 30-year-old Chicago man is recovering in the hospital after police say he was shot by another driver Thursday night.

According to police, the man was driving westbound on 79th Street in a Ford Ranger pickup truck with his 23-year-old pregnant girlfriend by his side when a black Cadillac CTS pulled alongside and opened fire on the couple.

The shooting happen around 8:07 p.m. in the 5900 block of 79th Street.

According to a Burbank Police Department press release, the incident began when a passenger of the Cadillac began flashing gang signs at the occupants of the pickup. The man then pulled out a gun and fired approximately three shots at the truck.

Police said the driver of the truck was struck once by a bullet that traveled through his left leg before striking his right leg. The female passenger not injured.

The victim managed to pull the truck over in the area of 79th and Austin Avenue where he flagged down help. He was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn by emergency medical personnel. Police described his injuries as non-life threatening. The female passenger was checked by EMS on scene and released.

The shooter was described as a Hispanic man in his late teens or early 20s. The Cadillac fled the scene and police said no further information is available about the car or its occupants at this time.

“The incident is not believed to be random and is being considered gang-related,” the press release indicated.

Police urge anyone with information about this shooting to call the Burbank Police Department at 708-924-7300.

Police scanner audio courtesy of Net Ten... http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/5657/web. Follow on Facebook at Net Ten.

© The Burbank Beat 2017. All rights reserved

Lifeguards Rescue Tot From Drowning At Burbank Water Park

8/3/2017

BURBANK, Ill. — A 4-year-old boy was rescued from drowning by Burbank Park District lifeguards Friday afternoon, according to Division Chief Mike Dudlo of the Burbank Police Department.

The incident happened July 28 about 1:30 p.m. at the Burbank Water Park pool, 6100 W. 85th Street.

Dudlo said an on-duty lifeguard saw the boy underwater and pulled him from the pool. Lifesaving measures were administered to the unresponsive child by the pool staff. The boy was reported to be conscious by the time paramedics arrived.

A source said the boy may have been underwater for as long as two minutes before he was rescued.

The boy was transported by the Burbank Fire Department to an area hospital where he was kept overnight for observation. He is expected to make a full recovery, according to Dudlo.

The child is believed to have been participating in the Burbank Park District Summer Fusion Fun Camp at the time of the incident.

A 6-year-old Justice boy drowned in the shallow end of a Bridgeview pool in June 2014. The boy had been at the pool with a day camp from the Justice Park District.

Representatives from Burbank Park District could not be reached for comment.

© The Burbank Beat 2017. All rights reserved

Two Men Arrested In Connection With Car Dealership Burglary: Police

7/19/2017

Daniel Taylor (L) and Michael Dominguez (R) | images via Cook County Sheriff

BURBANK, Ill. — Two men are in custody after Burbank Police responded to a burglar alarm early Monday morning.

According to Division Chief Mike Dudlo of the Burbank Police department, officers were dispatched to Burbank Auto Sales, 5249 W 79th Street, a little past 6 a.m. in response to a motion alarm that had been triggered inside the business.

Dudlo said a veteran officer, who was training a new recruit, were first to arrive on scene and spotted two men in the parking lot.

The men were identified by police as Daniel Taylor, 54, of Chicago and Michael Dominguez, 40, of Bourbonnais.

According to Dudlo, Dominguez was arrested on scene while Taylor fled in a Chevrolet HHR. The Chevy was stopped by other units a short time later near State Road and Long Avenue.

Dudlo said proceeds from the business including checks, tools and a safe were discovered on both individuals and inside the vehicle. Dudlo also said both men made admissions after being questioned.

Dudlo said investigators are looking for a third man who may have been involved in the alleged burglary. Taylor and Dominguez both implicated another individual but according to Dudlo, police did not find him on scene and only the pair were captured on camera by the business's video surveillance system.

According to Dudlo, the pair is wanted by Carol Stream, Elmhurst, Bridgeview and Alsip in connection to a string of burglaries of self-storage facilities. Another 16 north suburban police agencies are looking into a pair for similar crimes. According to Dudlo, Dominguez is a former employee of Life Storage.

Taylor and Dominguez have each been charged with one count of burglary stemming from the Burbank incident. Both appeared at the Bridgeview Courthouse Wednesday for a bond hearing. Taylor is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail. Dominguez is being held without bond.

Dominguez is due back in court July 20. Taylor's next appearance is scheduled for Aug. 18.

© The Burbank Beat 2017. All rights reserved

Burbank Accepting Applications for Police Officers

7/14/2017

BURBANK, Ill. — The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners for the City of Burbank is now accepting applications for the position of Entry Level Law Enforcement.

Testing is being conducted for immediate hires and to establish a new Eligibility List for future hiring needs.

Applications can be accessed online at www.jobsource.copsandfiretesting.com. There is a $50.00 non-refundable application fee. Applications are NOT available at the Burbank Police Department or City Hall.

The deadline for returning completed applications is Wednesday, August, 9, 2017 by 4 p.m. All applications must be returned to the office of:

C.O.P.S. and F.I.R.E. Personnel Testing Service
ATTN: Burbank PD
200 W. Higgins Road, Suite 201
Schaumburg, IL 60195

Starting salary is $57,204 plus additional academic achievement pay for those with college degrees; after two years $66,840; after 3 years $73,860. Benefits include uniform allowance, group health, hospitalization, dental, pension, tuition reimbursement, vacation, personal and sick days.

Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen or must provide documentation of authorization to work in the U.S. legally.

Driver’s License: Must possess a valid Driver’s License at the time of application with the ability to obtain an Illinois License upon time of hire.

Age Requirement: Applicants must be under the age of 35 at the last date for filing applications (8/9/17) unless exempt by State Statute 65 IL 5/10-2. 1-6, which provides in part that the age limitation does not apply to any person previously employed as a Certified (full-time) Law Enforcement Officer. Applicants must have attained their 21st birthday by the last date for filing applications. (8/9/17)

Education: Must have proof of a High School Diploma, GED Certificate or High School Proficiency Statement AND must meet one of three requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement or Criminal Justice with a minimum of a 2.5 GPA from an accredited college or university by last date for filing applications (8/9/17) or
Have been honorably discharged from military service of the United States after having served a minimum of two years active duty AND have earned a minimum of 60 hours of college credits (must provide DD214 & transcripts) or
Currently a certified full-time Police Officer in the State of Illinois and meet either one of the above/military requirements (must provide certification). The written portion of the testing will be waived for current full-time certified officers.

Applicants must attend the mandatory orientation on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at Reavis High School, 6034 W. 77th Street, Burbank. A physical and written examination will take place immediately following the orientation. Registration will begin at 12:30 p.m. and the orientation will start promptly at 1 p.m.

Candidates that possess a valid POWER Card issued between the dates of 2/9/17 – 8/9/17 will be exempt from taking the physical on the day of testing. (MUST provide a copy of POWER Card in their returned support packet material and bring POWER Card on the day of test.)

The City of Burbank does not have a residency requirement at this time.

Questions concerning the application should be directed to 847-310-2677.

© The Burbank Beat 2017. All rights reserved

Alleged Burglar Nets a Whopping $2.45 in 4th of July Heist

7/7/2017

BURBANK, Ill. — A local restaurant is asking for the public’s help after a recent burglary.

Spicy Thai Lao posted a grainy black-and-white surveillance video of the burglary suspect on their Facebook page Thursday soliciting information and offering a reward. The video appears to show a white male with a T-shirt pulled over his head rummaging through the cash register and front counter area.

The Burbank Police Department confirmed an unknown suspect broke into the restaurant off of State Road during the early morning hours of July 4 and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.

According to George Goodson, who owns the restaurant with his wife Kaew Saengsom, the man gained entry around 2:30 a.m. by smashing the front door with a large rock. Goodson was alerted to the broken door several hours later by a regular customer who was passing by and noticed the damage.

Goodson said the suspect was able to open the cash register but the only money it contained was a two-dollar bill and 45 cents in loose change which the man made off with. Nothing else from the restaurant was taken.

Goodson boarded up the broken door himself which cost about $60 and believes repairs will come out-of-pocket since the damage won’t exceed his insurance deductible.

Goodson said he is willing to pay up to $500 for anyone with information which leads to an arrest of the suspect.

The restaurant is planning a big expansion later this year. Goodson said the existing dining area is not large enough. He has been negotiating with the landlord to take over the adjacent store northeast of the restaurant and hopes to be using the additional space by autumn.

The hidden gem of a restaurant consistently garners excellent ratings on the internet including 4.5 out of 5 stars on Yelp and EatStreet. It received a glowing review in 2014 by the Chicago Reader shortly after opening.

Image via Spicy Thai Lao Facebook page

© The Burbank Beat 2017. All rights reserved

Dugout Owner Focused On Reopening ASAP After Fire

6/22/2017

The Dugout | image via Mike DiStefano Facebook post

BURBANK, Ill. — A ringing telephone woke Mike DiStefano about 1:30 a.m. on June 14 to the news no restaurant owner ever wants to hear — his building was on fire.

DiStefano jumped out of bed and rushed to his popular Burbank fast food eatery, The Dugout, 6300 W. 79th Street. He pulled up just as firefighters were extinguishing the last of the flames.

“It made me physically sick. I was devastated,” DiStefano said after seeing damage to the structure he built from the ground up, over 30 years ago.

According to DiStefano, the fire — which authorities say was electrical in nature — began in the rear wall of the building away from the kitchen area. The flames spread upward and traveled through the ceiling causing widespread damage.

The fire was called in just after 1 a.m. by a Burbank police officer in the area. The officer was on patrol a few blocks away when he smelled smoke and traced it back to The Dugout. Burbank firefighters assisted by fire crews from Bridgeview, Bedford Park, North Palos, and Hometown, quickly tamed the blaze and saved the building.

Since the night of the fire, DiStefano’s sole aim has been to get the business reopen as soon as possible. “I want to get open, I want to be back,” he said.

The first call DiStefano made the day after the fire was to the mayor. “I thanked him and told him what a great job the Burbank Fire Department and Police Department did.”

DiStefano has been working closely with his insurance adjuster to expedite repairs. “In 33 years I never made a claim,” he said and added that his insurance company has been wonderful in helping him get back on his feet.

DiStefano said things are moving extremely fast. “My focus is to retool and get up and running.”

Along with miscellaneous equipment that will have to be replaced, the building will need extensive electrical work, a new ceiling, and a new furnace. DiStefano is working with a fire restoration company to preserve the autographed sports memorabilia that adorned the dining room walls and is cautiously optimistic the collectables can be saved.

DiStefano was hesitant to venture a guess on how long he thinks it will take to reopen but hopes to be back in business within a month. He said he is looking forward to “positive changes.”

DiStefano said there were misconceptions in the community last year when the business was put up for auction.

In addition to running The Dugout, DeStefano, an off-ice official for the National Hockey League, was coaching the Orland Park Vikings hockey club and giving private hockey lessons. He was looking to lighten his load and thought that selling the business and collecting rent might be a way to free up more time to spend with his family.

DiStefano said a friend in the real estate business convinced him he could get a better price at auction versus a traditional sale — but when people heard the news, many confused it for a distressed property auction.

DiStefano said he’s owned The Dugout outright for 26 years and business has been phenomenal. “We had a contract immediately but the deal fell apart at the last minute.”

After the contract fell through, DiStefano had a change of heart and decided to hold onto the business. “That’s my baby, it’s not for sale,” he said.

He said he regrets his decision to put The Dugout on the auction block and said it created erroneous negative perceptions. “I’ll never do it again,” DiStefano said.

The Dugout has built a loyal following of customers and has racked up a large number of glowing reviews since it first opened in 1984. Their pepper and egg sandwich was a favorite of legendary Chicago Sun-Times food critic Pat Bruno. Last year the restaurant was inducted into the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Hall of Fame.

DiStefano said he’s been overwhelmed by an outpouring of public support and well wishes. “The day after the fire, people were stopping by and asking 'how can I help you?'”

DiStefano feels a deep connection to the community and the City of Burbank. He wrote in a recent Facebook post, “I’m so thankful for you all!!! I love our town!!! Thanks for the amazing support!!! We will rebuild and be better than ever!!!”

Plans for a grand reopening are already in the works. For DiStefano, that day can't come soon enough.

© The Burbank Beat 2017. All rights reserved

Overnight Fire Damages 'The Dugout'

6/14/2017

Image via Tri-State Fire Alerts

A popular Burbank restaurant was damaged when a fire broke out early Wednesday morning, authorities said.

According to Division Chief Mike Dudlo of the Burbank Police Department, a patrol officer was in the area of 77th Street and Narragansett Avenue when he smelled smoke just after 1 a.m.

The officer traced the odor to The Dugout restaurant at 6300 W. 79th Street. The officer observed heavy white smoke coming through the roof and alerted the fire department, Dudlo said.

According to the Tri-State Fire Alerts Facebook page, Burbank firefighters were assisted by fire crews from Bridgeview, Bedford Park, North Palos, and Hometown in putting out the fire

The extent of the damage to the fast food eatery is unknown at this time.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation but police reports isuggest there was nothing suspicious about the fire.

© The Burbank Beat 2017. All rights reserved