Crime & Safety

Police Say 2 Oak Lawn Park District Workers Damaged Property

Yard decorations and lights reported damaged on Minnick and Franklin.

Two men who work for the were arrested after they went on a vandalism spree, said.

Matthew J. Gierman, 19, of the 10400 block of Lamon Avenue, and James W. Kurkul, 20, of the 10400 block of South Georgia Lane, were charged with criminal damage to property. Police said Gierman and Kurkul vandalized several properties during the early-morning hours of Aug. 26 and Aug. 27.

Witnesses told police they observed both men damaging outdoor lighting fixtures and other property along the 10100 block of South Minnick Avenue.

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Property was reported damaged or discovered by police to be damaged at three residences on Minnick and another residence on the 5400 block of West Franklin Avenue.

Both men were taken into custody. While en route to the Oak Lawn police station, police said Giermak remembered pushing over a decorative wishing well on Franklin Avenue, but he said he didn’t think he broke it. Police contacted the owner of the wishing well, who said the well was damaged and signed a complaint, reports said. The total cost of damages was about $600.

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The men are scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 12 in Bridgeview.


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