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Weekly Deployment Meeting Highlights

In this post, a community member who sits in on the Evanston Police
Department’s weekly Deployment Meeting, shares notes on the topics discussed and writes about public safety matters of interest to people who work or live in Evanston.

March 16, 12:02 AM

On of CPD's three Bell helicopters

If you’re among residents who wondered why there was a helicopter flying (and the sound of sirens on the streets below) minutes after midnight on March 16, we’re here to explain.

EPD officers were asked to assist CPD (Chicago Police Department) in apprehending the driver of a stolen vehicle following a pursuit that originated in Chicago. The vehicle, which had been involved in striking an Evergreen Park PD squad car, was tracked by a CPD helicopter as it traveled northbound on Sheridan Road.

CPD squads followed the vehicle to the 600 block of Linden, where the driver and a single passenger abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. EPD officers assisted CPD in pursuit of one of the suspects on the 600 block of Callan and helped effect the man’s arrest. CPD and EPD officers, with aerial support from the helicopter, conducted an extensive search for the passenger but were unable to locate him. The driver was charged with offenses related to fleeing from CPD and faced charges back in Evergreen Park.

Details of other incidents covered in the meeting follow.

Weekly Crime Map

Click to enlarge

Deployment Presentation – March 19, 2025 

Assist EFD – First responders (EPD and EFD) responded to the 2300 block of Grey on March 18 for the report of a chimney collapse and a person trapped beneath it. The individual was repairing the chimney when he and the chimney tumbled from the roof. The man, conscious and alert, was taken to the hospital with head injuries. No updates on his condition.

Battery – On March 15, a victim reported being shot several times with a paintball gun on the 800 block of Church. A short time later, he reported being approached by another group of juveniles, at which point he engaged in a physical altercation with one of the subjects. The victim sustained minor injuries.

Burglary

Garage Burglary – A Kestrel mountain bike was removed from an unsecured garage in the 2500 block of Noyes on March 15.

Motor Vehicle Burglary – Not a single one reported.

Residential Burglary – Various items, including a Glock 23 and ammo, were reported missing from a residence in the 700 block of Maison between March 9 and March 14. It’s unclear how the burglar gained entry to the home; forced entry was not indicated.

Catalytic Converter Theft

The approach of spring means we’re entering Catalytic Converter Theft season. The 2025 season kicked off with a home opener on March 17 in the 300 block of Barton.

Aggravated Battery – On March 15, a clerk at the 7-11 location on the 800 block of Emerson called 911 to report a female subject causing a disturbance inside the store. Officers were able to engage with the inebriated female who was escorted from the store without incident. As soon as the cops departed, she forced entry to the store and began damaging store display shelves. She was eventually taken into custody and transported to the police station, where she battered a desk officer. The woman, wanted on an active warrant, was transported to an area hospital for evaluation. Charges were approved for aggravated battery.

Disturbance

On March 17, multiple units received calls of a fight in the 300 block of Chicago. Officers spoke to several female subjects in the area who stated that they were pepper sprayed by unknown females in a fight that started on the Chicago side. Several of the subjects refused to speak with officers, while others were known to law enforcement. The group refused treatment for the pepper spray and left the area on foot, refusing to cooperate or provide anything further.

Domestic Disturbance – At least four calls for service, including one on March 12, have been associated with a South Blvd. since the beginning of this month. One of the individuals involved has a lengthy criminal record. A Special Watch is in effect for this location.

Fleeing and Eluding

On March 18, EPD received a FLOCK alert for a stolen 2014 Hyundai Elantra entering Evanston at Sheridan/Sheridan Square. A short time later, patrol units observed the vehicle traveling westbound on Howard. Patrol units attempted a traffic stop at Barton and Harvard, but the vehicle fled at a high rate of speed.

Graffiti

• Along the lakefront on March 17.
• On the sidewalk in the 1700 block of Maple on March 13.
• On a building in the 300 block of Ridge on March 15.

Motor Vehicle Theft

Attempted Theft – Between March 15 and March 16, an unknown person or persons attempted to remove the Club (anti-theft tool) from a 2015 Infiniti in the 100 block of Elmwood.

Recovery 

• On March 18, a Lexus stolen out of Round Lake was recovered in the 2100 block of Darrow.
• A 2009 Chrysler Aspen was stolen from the 1400 block of Foster between March 16 and March 17. The vehicle has since been recovered.
• A victim’s 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee, missing from the 300 block of Custer on March 15, was recovered, with the aid of an AirTag, in Chicago.

Package Theft – One reported during this period; clothing, on March 18, from a residence in the 2600 block of Lincoln on March 18.

Retail Theft – On March 14, two juveniles were detained by EPD officers for a retail theft at the Marshall’s location in the 2400 block of Main. They received misdemeanor charges and were released to their parents.

Weapons Related

Shots Fired

• On March 18, EPD received a shots fired call from the 100 block of Callan. Police interviewed a dog walker there who reported hearing nothing. The area was checked for evidence with negative results. 
• An anonymous caller reported two shots fired and a vehicle speeding away near Ashland and Brummel on March 17. Officers were unable to find evidence in the form of bullets or shell casings.
• On March 15, a caller reported one shot fired in the 700 block of Chicago. The area was checked with negative results.
• Units responded to several calls of shots fired on March 14 in the 200 block of Asbury. Officers on the scene were able to collect a total of 8 spent casings. No injuries or damage were reported.

Random Notes

• Spring Break, for District 65, District 21, and Northwestern, runs from March 24 to March 28.
• Lock your car doors: This week, a woman reported that someone tried to enter her car while parking it in the 600 block of Howard. She was able to drive away but reported that she saw the same man later on the same day in the 7300 block of Damen.
• A routine tobacco check last week found all but one retailer in compliance.
• Special Watch: Ramadan runs through March 29.
• Erin go Bragh (Ireland Forever), everybody. The Traffic Bureau reported on Thursday that the St. Patrick’s Day safety campaign resulted in 28 seat belt citations and 18 other citations issued during this campaign (including 8 for distracted driving).

Send us your questions. What would you like to know? We’ll respond with an answer in the next issue or two. Comments and suggestions are welcome too. Contact us here.

The weekly deployment report is an informational bulletin prepared by a community member that keeps citizens informed about what police do on a weekly basis. Information contained in this report is not to be considered as a media/press release. Any information considered by a media source from this bulletin needs to be verified by an official from the department. This can be done by contacting the media line at 847-866-5026.