MK_061319

8 | June 13, 2019 | the mokena messenger news
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Police Reports
Surveillance footage leads to retail theft arrest
Cleveland L. Johnson,
41, of 212 Fir St. in Park
Forest, was charged June 1
with retail theft.
According to police reports,
an officer was dispatched
to the 11300 block
of West Lincoln Highway
for a report of retail theft.
Upon arrival, the complainant
advised the officer
that he had an employee,
Johnson, in custody for
allegedly switching UPC
labels on items, which he
then scanned and paid less
than the actual items’ values.
He further advised the
officer that Johnson had
been the subject of observation
since May 18.
After viewing video
surveillance of the alleged
thefts — which included
T-shirts, underwear and
food worth a total value of
$52.27 — the officer placed
Johnson under arrest.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Mokena
Messenger’s police reports
come from the Mokena Police
Department. Anyone listed in
these reports is considered to
be innocent of all charges until
proven guilty in a court of law.
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Mokena, Frankfort team up for Torch Run
Caitlin Fyfe
Freelance Reporter
Police officers and volunteers from Orland Park and
Mokena pose with the Special Olympics Torch of Hope
June 5, ready to pass it off to Frankfort Police.
Caitlin Fyfe/22nd Century Media
The annual Law Enforcement
Torch Run benefiting
Special Olympics
Illinois continued through
the southwest suburbs the
morning of June 5 with
the help of Mokena and
Frankfort police.
This stretch of the torch
run, which was 3.1 miles,
started at the intersection
of 191st Street and La-
Grange Road in Mokena.
The route proceeded
south on Lagrange, where
Mokena police and volunteers
then handed the torch
off to Frankfort police and
volunteers.
The torch run joined two
community’s for a cause
that helps raise money and
awareness for athletes who
participate in the Special
Olympics.
According to Special
Olympics Illinois, the Torch
Run includes an annual intrastate
relay conducted by
officers representing every
branch of law enforcement
within the state, as well as
with federal partners.
Special Olympian and
Ambassador for Special
Olympics Illinois Rikki
Kirsch participated in the
Mokena leg and rode her
bicycle. She was accompanied
by Mokena Chief
of Police Steve Vaccaro on
a bicycle.
Throughout the week, approximately
3,000 officers
carried the Flame of Hope
which traveled 1,500 miles
from June 2-7. The Torch
Run was held through various
Illinois communities
where 23 different routes
were designated. This lead
up to the opening ceremony
of the Special Olympics Illinois
Summer Games that
began on Friday, June 7, in
Normal, where torchbearers
ran into the stadium to create
a stream of flames.
“Anytime you can help
with an event like the Special
Olympics it is great to
be involved,” said Frankfort
Chief of Police John
Burica. “The run signifies
the kick-off of the games,
and this helps bring attention
to these athletes and a
great cause.”
Since 1986, the Law Enforcement
Torch Run has
raised nearly $51 million
while bringing awareness
of Special Olympics Illinois
athletes.
Vaccaro said the Mokena
Police Department
raised about $6,000 so far
this year through the Cop
on a Rooftop and Chase a
Cop events.
To donate to Special
Olympics Illinois, visit
soill.org.
visit us online at
www.mokenamessenger.com
STUDENT
From Page 7
thing about your school
what would it be?
One thing I would
change about my school
is that I wish the start
time was later because I
am not a morning person.
What’s your favorite thing
to eat in the cafeteria?
My favorite thing to eat
in the cafeteria is the waffles
and fries.
What’s your best memory
from school?
My best memory from
school was going to
Springfield for the seventh-grade
field trip and
seeing Lincoln’s Library,
the State Capitol Building
and Lincoln’s Memorial. I
also enjoyed the bus ride
home from Springfield because
everyone took their
lanyards, connected them
and hung them all around
the bus.
Standout Student is a weekly
feature for The Mokena
Messenger. Nominations
come from Mokena-area
schools.