Crime & Safety

Machete Used to Settle an Argument: Weird Crimes

Parent banned from school after driving in the wrong lane • Former church member sends 'vulgar' emails over T-shirt idea • Fake cops con driver out of his cash ... This week's roundup of weird crime news in the Southland.


Big Knife, Big Problem

Aug. 27: A driver armed with a 15-inch machete got into a face-off with another motorist after being called an "old man" in grocery store parking lot.

Gregory J. Scherer, 57, of the 8600 block of 144th Place, Orland Park, was charged with unlawfully using a weapon, Orland Park police said.

The dispute arose after Scherer reportedly took his time walking through a parking lot, prompting a horn honk from the driver of a black Lexus who was searching for a spot.

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Orland Park cops arrived at 7:46 p.m. in the Jewel parking lot, 9350 159th St., to investigate a 911 call from 30-year-old victim. Scherer also called 911 a few minutes later, after he drove away from Jewel in his blue pick-up truck and had pulled into the nearby Target parking lot.

Cops drove to Target and found Scherer standing near the truck, police said. The machete, which Scherer told dispatchers about and pointed police to on scene, was inside the truck's cab. An officer found the black, serrated machete, which had a blade about 15 inches long, stuck between the front seat and center console.

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Scherer told police he was walking to his vehicle in the Jewel parking lot when the other man pulled up behind him in a black Lexus, honked his horn and yelled to "get the (blank) out of the way," according to an Orland Park police report. The Lexus driver also had called him an old man. Scherer become upset and yelled back. He then got into his car and followed the Lexus driver to another spot in the lot. That's where Scherer pulled the machete and continued the argument.

The Lexus driver said that Scherer had been walking slowly in the middle of the parking aisle and that he gently honked his horn, hoping Scherer would more to the side, the report states. He denied ever yelling "Get the (blank) out of the way," but did admit to calling him an "old man." The victim also confirmed that Scherer had parked near him and approached with the sheathed weapon. After the Lexus driver threatened to call the cops, Scherer got into the truck and took off.

The victim said he would not be able to appear in court and declined to press assault charges, police said. Scherer was arrested and, later, booked on the weapon charge.

Scherer is due on Sept. 24 in Bridgeview court.

Read more on Orland Park Patch


Show Me Your Badge!


Sept. 4: Oak Lawn Police are looking for two men that may have impersonated police officers after they pulled over a driver and stole money from his wallet, reports said.

An 18-year-old man had just left work and was traveling eastbound on 95th Street when he turned southbound on to Parkside, when he noticed a black, Chevy Tahoe truck driving toward him.

The Chevy Tahoe suddenly pulled in front his path, blocking his way, and the 18-year-old slammed on his brakes to avoid hitting the truck, police said.

Two men wearing dark colored, polo shirts with what appeared to be badges on the front, and vests, got out of their vehicle. Both wore vests over their shirts and belts that had a lot of gadgets on them.

The 18-year-old driver assumed both men were undercover tact officers. A man in his 20s with a muscular build walked up to the driver’s side window while the second man stood in front of his car.

The man asked the driver his license and registration. As the driver was trying to get the requested documents out of his wallet, the man suddenly snatched it out the driver’s hands.

Both men stood in front of the 18-year-old driver’s car with their backs to him, reports said.

Several seconds later, the man returned to the driver’s side window and handed the wallet back to the driver, saying, “you’re good to go.”

The driver told police that it wasn’t until he was several blocks away when he realized that his money, approximately $47, was gone from his wallet. Police said that that 18-year-old did not call them immediately because he was scared of accusing police of stealing from him.

Police asked him if had noticed either man touching his car, and the driver did not believe they had.

The second man was white, also in his 20s, of average build, possibly blad or with a very short hairstyle.

The driver said he didn’t want to do a composite drawing because he wasn’t good at describing people, but believes he can identify both in a police lineup.

Read more on Oak Lawn Patch


What Kind of Lesson Are We Teaching The Kids?


Sept. 12: A road-raging parent was banned from a Palos Hills elementary school after taking a wrong turn and threatening officials, reports said.

According to Palos Hills police, the parent of a student at Sorrick Elementary School, 7825 W. 103rd St., drove in a lane he wasn't supposed to.

School officials tried to stop the man, who yelled for them to move "or he will hit them," reports said.

The school has set up different lanes, with one where cars are not allowed to drive, on the property so that children are not put in danger of being struck by a car when dropped off.

School officials notified the parent in writing that he is no longer allowed on school property, police said.

Palos Hills juvenile officers also will attempt to track down the parent and remind him about the ban.

Read more on Palos Patch


What Would Jesus Email?


Sept. 9: A 61-year-old man who was expelled from a Tinley church 10 years ago has started harassing current members again over a T-shirt idea.

An employee of the church said the man believes the church is trying to steal his idea of marketing Christian-themed T-shirts, according to a Tinley Park police report. He had previously made harassing phone calls and sent emails to the church six years ago and started up again with a series of emails that began on Sept. 6 and continued through Sept. 9.

The church employee described the emails as "vulgar and insulting but not overly alarming," the report states. He believes the sender, who has addresses listed in Monee and Iowa, is suffering from mental illness and is delusional.

The former church member reportedly thinks the federal, state and local governments and police also are out to snatch the idea, the report states.

While there have not been any acts of violence, the church employee said the ex-member made threats in the past and was willing to press charges. The man was expelled a decade ago because of threats against church members and staff.

No arrests were reported.

Read more on Tinley Park Patch


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Police report information is provided by local police departments. Charges are not evidence of guilt. They are a record of police actions on a given day, and persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. If you or a family member are charged or cited and the case is subsequently adjudicated, we encourage you to notify the editor. We will verify and report the outcome.

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