Crime & Safety

Men Toasting Release from Jail Cited for Open Alcohol in Car, Cops Say

Oak Lawn police find catalytic converters, open alcohol in van during traffic stop, reports say.

Four Chicago men were issued citations for violating multiple village ordinances when they were discovered with open alcohol and catalytic converters inside their van during a traffic stop, reports said.

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Oak Lawn police spotted a 1995 Chrysler van changing lanes without signaling as it traveled southbound on the on the 8800 block of South Cicero Avenue around 3:22 p.m. Dec. 8.

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One of the passengers was said to be holding a small plastic cup when police stopped the car in the 9000 block of South Cicero Avenue. Upon approaching the van, the front seat passenger, identified as Christopher Selmon, 22, rolled down the window.

Police detected a strong odor of alcohol. Asked what he was drinking, Selmon allegedly responded that he was drinking a glass of Hennessey.

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The two back seat passengers, Stephon D. Johnson, 25, and Donnie Weathersby, 23, both stated they were enjoying a glass of Hennessey after being released from Cook County Jail.

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Police said the driver, Reese Bell, 24, was unable to provide a driver’s license or proof of insurance. Bell allegedly told police that he and his pals were on their way to deliver two catalytic converters to a scrap metal shop at 92nd Street and Cicero for Bell’s uncle.

During a computer check, police discovered that Bell was driving without a valid driver’s license and was taken into custody, reports said.

The three passengers were similarly taken into custody for investigation of stolen motor vehicle parts.

At the Oak Lawn police station, Selmon, Johnson and Weathersby told police they did not know where the catalytic converters came from, police said.

According to the report, Bell, the driver, told police that his uncle D-Bo, asked him to bring the catalytic converters to the scrap shop, for which he would be paid $100 a piece. Bell was to give the money to his uncle. He denied having any knowledge that the car parts were stolen.

Police could not locate any victims reporting that their catalytic converters had been stolen.

Selmon, Johnson and Weathersby were issued tickets for having open alcohol in a car.

Bell was charged with not having a valid ID, no proof of insurance, failure to signal a lane change and open alcohol in a motor vehicle. He has a court appearance on Jan. 3.

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