Crime & Safety

South Suburban DUI Arrests, Sept. 15

Driver nods off behind the wheel and a speeder draws police attention in this week's roundup of DUI reports.


PALOS HEIGHTS

Sept. 6: A Berwyn man charged with drunken driving was carrying two pairs of brass knuckles when he was stopped earlier this month, police said.

Justin M. Gilley, 23, of the 4200 block of Home Avenue, Berwyn, was charged with driving under the influence, DUI with a blood-alcohol level greater than 0.08, driving without insurance, speeding, improper lane use and unlawful use of a weapon, according to Palos Heights police.

Gilley's car was stopped at about 2:46 a.m. in the 12000 block of South Harlem Avenue, police said. Cops on the scene determined Gilley was intoxicated. During a search, an officer recovered two pairs of brass knuckles. Bail was set at $3,000. Gilley is due on Sept. 27 in Bridgeview court.

Sept. 5: A driver was slapped with a DUI after cops spotted him make multiple traffic violations.

Mladen Zugaj, 39, of the 17000 block of Grissom Drive, Tinley Park, was charged with driving under the influence, driving without a rear plate light, following too closely and improper lane use, according to a Palos Heights police report. Officers stopped Zugaj at about 9:10 p.m. in the 13500 block of South Harlem Avenue. He was pulled over for allegedly committing several traffic offenses.

Zugaj was found to be under the influence of alcohol, police said. Officers at the scene placed him under arrest. Bail was set at $3,000. Zugaj is due on Oct. 22 in Bridgview court.

OAK FOREST

Aug. 30: Cops trying to pull over a PT Cruiser watched as the driver repeatedly nodded off behind the wheel.

Joanne O'Marrah, 61, of the 13500 block of Kristoffer, Orland Park, was accused of drunken driving and possessing heroin , police said. An officer was called at about 4:29 p.m. to the area of 159th Street and Cicero Avenue for a report of a driver who might be intoxicated, according to an Oak Forest police report. The caller pointed to a black PT Cruiser and cops followed the swerving car for several blocks.

The officer turned on the lights and sirens and pulled up next to the car, the report states. The driver, O'Marrah, continued westbound on 159th, slowing to 25 mph in a 45 mph zone. O'Marrah appeared to be repeatedly falling asleep at the wheel.

Cops in two cars eventually boxed in the PT Cruiser and brought it to a stop, the report states. Police said O'Marrah acted confused, gave incoherent answers to questions and had a strong odor of alcohol on her breath. She told cops she needed to sneeze and rubbed her nose frequently while speaking.

One officer noticed a white powder substance on the driver's nose, the report states. A clear, pint-sized vodka bottle could be seen next to the seat. O'Marrah fell on the grass during a test for sobriety. She was unable to finish the remaining tests.

Police called an ambulance to take O'Marrah to Palos Community Hospital, the report states. While she was being transported, police searched her purse and allegedly found three foil packets filled with a white powder that tested positive for heroin. O'Marrah was charged with possession of a controlled substance, driving under the influence, illegally transporting alcohol, failing to stop for an emergency vehicle and improper lane use.

NEW LENOX

Sept. 5: A New Lenox woman who allegedly sped over the limit was charged with drunken driving, police said.

Gita Avgeris, 33, of the 200 block of East Woodlawn Road, faces charges of driving under the influence, illegally transporting alcohol and speeding, New Lenox police said.

Cops found a vehicle speeding at about 11:43 p.m. near the intersection of Cedar and Fir, police said. During a stop, an officer determined that the driver was under the influence of alcohol and had an open container. Avgeris posted bond and was released.

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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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