On Saturday morning in the Yankee Woods parking lot  we had a visit from the Forest Preserve police.  The officer was conspicuously stationed in the lot observing all our comings and goings.  As it turns out, he was not there to keep us from drinking, but to address a recent string of "smash and grab" robberies occurring in the south suburban forest preserve lots.  Apparently, there have been several over the last week, in several forest preserves, including Yankee Woods and spreading out to Lansing and beyond.   In one incident, a woman was there to walk between 6:45 and 7:45 am and her car was robbed, in another case they heard the glass breaking as soon as they hit the woods.   They are searching for two African American males, old enough to know better (like in their late 30's) in a white Geo Tracker and at other times, an older red Cavalier-type car. 

 

The moral of the story is, of course, PLEASE be careful out there. We all probably need reminding to not carry valuables, or not leave them in the car or at least not in view.  Running in the early am is not a deterrent in this case. Don't run alone.   The officer instructed us to call the forest preserve police at (708) 771-1000 if you see something suspicious, like the cars mentioned above.  Of course, if there is a "situation" in progress, call 911. 

 

Take Care and Spread the Word,

Deborah Murphy