Crime & Safety

South Suburban DUI Arrests, Sept. 29

Always buckle up when you drive. Don't wrap the belt around your arm, like one driver did earlier this month. See what other motorists tried to pull in this week's roundup of DUI arrests.

Sept. 18: A Chicago woman accused of drunken driving told cops she was visiting her dead father when they found her in the Evergreen Cemetery after midnight.

Ellisett Tellez, 33, of the 5900 block of South Troy Street, was charged with driving under the influence, illegally transporting liquor, several other traffic violations and trespassing, Evergreen Park police said.

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Officers were called at about 12:24 a.m. to investigate reports of a car with its headlights off that had driven into the cemetery, located in the 3400 block of 87th Street.

A woman was seen running toward a car that was parked in the cemetery, police said. The driver, Tellez, told police she was there to visit her deceased father, but that was unconfirmed.

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The driver failed sobriety and breath tests, police said.


ORLAND PARK

Sept. 2: A New Lenox man accused of drunken driving refused to take tests during a recent traffic stop, police said.

Roberto Suarez, 33, of the 1000 block of Sweetwater Trail, was charged with driving under the influence and improper lane use, according to an Orland Park police report.

Police followed a silver Ford Fusion that crossed the road lines without signaling before swinging back into its correct lane, the report states. The Fusion crossed the line again and the officer pulled it over at about 2:05 a.m. in the 15800 block of Wolf Road.

The driver, Suarez, told police he was having a hard time controlling the car because he had a brace on the ring finger of his right hand.

An officer could smell an odor of alcohol on Suarez's breath, the report states. He told police that he drank two or three beers that night.

Suarez was asked to perform tests for intoxication, which he initially hesitated to do, the report states. Police ordered him out of the car when he refused a second time. Suarez told police he believed he was going to prison and that he didn't do anything wrong. He was arrested after continuing to refuse the tests.

Suarez is due on Oct. 9 in Bridgeview court.


PALOS HEIGHTS

Sept. 22: A Tinley Park woman who police say was speeding also is accused of drunken driving.

Susan F. Fontaine, 49, of the 6300 block of West 175th Street, was charged with driving under the influence and speeding, according to a Palos Heights police report.

Fontaine was stopped at about 12:10 a.m. in the 13000 block of South Harlem Avenue, the report states. Police said she was driving faster than the posted speed limit.

During the stop, the driver showed signs of intoxication and told police she had been drinking, the report states. She was arrested after failing sobriety tests.

Bail was set at $3,000. Fontaine is due on Oct. 22 in Bridgeview court.


HOMEWOOD

Sept. 17: A Homewood driver whose unbuckled seat belt was wrapped around his arm was stopped for weaving in traffic, police said.

Patrick Edwards, 22, of the 1700 block of Linden Road, was charged with driving under the influence, failing to wear a seat belt, speeding, improper lane use and improper display of registration, according to a Homewood police report.

Edwards was seen weaving in the street and traveling 51 mph in a 35 mph zone, the report states. Cops pulled his car over on Riegel Road after witnessing him make a wide right turn and cross the road lines without signaling.

During the stop, Edwards appeared confused and distracted, the report states. His seat belt was unbuckled and wrapped around his right shoulders under his armpit. Police said Edward spoke with slurred speech and his breath smelled like alcohol.

Police asked Edwards to take tests for sobriety, the report states. He complied but refused to submit to a Breathalyzer. An officer read him his Miranda rights.

Edwards is due on Oct. 21 in Cook County court.

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