Bike Thieves on Trial!

Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 12th - the trial for the bike thieves as discussed earlier:

Skokie Courthouse - Room 105, 1:30 PM
Map: http://tinyurl.com/5rbk73x

More details and discussion:

http://www.thechainlink.org/forum/topics/holy-fracking-cow-chicagos...
http://wilmette.patch.com/articles/wilmette-and-winnetka-police-nab...
http://wilmette.patch.com/articles/photo-of-the-day-is-this-your-st...

A bike ride up the North Branch Trail, runs right by Old Orchard Road where the courthouse is located.

Beware of the usual restriction of what you can carry inside the building, but do wear a helmet and look like a bike rider supporting the prosecution.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on November 30, 2011 at 10:25pm

When I visited last August, I left my cell phone (and jack knife and bike tools) at home and just brought the minimum with me. I think I remember seeing lawyers with cell phones in the hall, but I'm sure you'd get in trouble if your phone rang and disturbed a court proceeding. At the entrance, I had to remove my belt, wallet, change and wristwatch into a plastic bin for x-raying, while I stepped through a metal detector. They took away my water bottle and held it until I left the building and made me remove my hat, though I was able to carry that inside the courtroom. I'm sure they'll confiscate your phone at the door if it isn't allowed in.

I seem to remember that the reason Torres is in jail are the gun charges against him. If convicted of carrying an unlicensed gun without an FOID card while committing a crime, the bike theft charges will be nothing in comparison.

A.K.A Paul said:

Does anyone know if that skokie courthouse is one that wont allow cell phones in the building?

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Permalink Reply by A.K.A Paul on November 30, 2011 at 10:53pm

Gun charges?? I didnt know he had gun charges as well. All the better I say.

Thunder Snow said:

When I visited last August, I left my cell phone (and jack knife and bike tools) at home and just brought the minimum with me. I think I remember seeing lawyers with cell phones in the hall, but I'm sure you'd get in trouble if your phone rang and disturbed a court proceeding. At the entrance, I had to remove my belt, wallet, change and wristwatch into a plastic bin for x-raying, while I stepped through a metal detector. They took away my water bottle and held it until I left the building and made me remove my hat, though I was able to carry that inside the courtroom. I'm sure they'll confiscate your phone at the door if it isn't allowed in.

I seem to remember that the reason Torres is in jail are the gun charges against him. If convicted of carrying an unlicensed gun without an FOID card while committing a crime, the bike theft charges will be nothing in comparison.

A.K.A Paul said:

Does anyone know if that skokie courthouse is one that wont allow cell phones in the building?

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Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on November 30, 2011 at 11:46pm

No gun charges. He was carrying a knife when taken into custody.

The reason he's being held has more to do with the value of the stolen merchandise, I think, but I defer to Kevin.

Thunder Snow said:

When I visited last August, I left my cell phone (and jack knife and bike tools) at home and just brought the minimum with me. I think I remember seeing lawyers with cell phones in the hall, but I'm sure you'd get in trouble if your phone rang and disturbed a court proceeding. At the entrance, I had to remove my belt, wallet, change and wristwatch into a plastic bin for x-raying, while I stepped through a metal detector. They took away my water bottle and held it until I left the building and made me remove my hat, though I was able to carry that inside the courtroom. I'm sure they'll confiscate your phone at the door if it isn't allowed in.

I seem to remember that the reason Torres is in jail are the gun charges against him. If convicted of carrying an unlicensed gun without an FOID card while committing a crime, the bike theft charges will be nothing in comparison.

A.K.A Paul said:

Does anyone know if that skokie courthouse is one that wont allow cell phones in the building?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on December 1, 2011 at 6:05am

Here's the latest list of prohibited items per the Cook County Sheriff's office. Please note the final bullet point which grants broad discretion to the screeners to refuse any items which they may feel "compromise the security or integrity of the courthouse." So even though nunchucks aren't specifically identified on the list, rest assured that you may be refused entry if you are packing them. Cell phones are trickier. Camera's are prohibited items, and it's hard to find a cell phone anymore that doesn't have a camera. I don't think Cook County enforces the camera cell phone prohibition, but Will County, Kane County and DuPage County do. Everyone entering a courthouse is subject to search, but attorneys can get a sheriff-issued photo ID card which enables them to avoid security screening. When in doubt, leave it outside.

Which reminds me of a little story... Twelve years ago I was assigned a pro bono federal civil rights case brought by an inmate at the Joliet Correctional Center. I drove out there to meet my "client," a particularly bad dude who I think will be eligible for parole beginning in 2022 or so. I assumed I'd be subject to search, but never expected my car would be searched as well. When the Department of Corrections Officer asked me if I had any contraband items such as weapons, alcohol, drugs, etc., I truthfully answered that I sure hoped not. He asked me to open the trunk and about 5 seconds later I heard someone from behind my car yell "we've got rounds!" Over time, I tend to accumulate stuff in my trunk and don't even remember what's in there or even "see" it anymore. On this particular day, I had deer bones (for a prank), an empty bottle (sadly) of french pomace brandy, and about 900 rounds of spent (thankfully) 38 caliber ammunition. Comedy ensued...

A.K.A Paul said:

Does anyone know if that skokie courthouse is one that wont allow cell phones in the building?

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on December 1, 2011 at 6:14am

I got the name of the lead prosecuter for this case on Wednesday. I called to find out if she'd talk to me about any of the particulars, but she wasn't in. I'll try again today to find out what I can, but understand that I don't know if she WILL talk to me, and don't know what if anything she says will be for public consumption. Some information is a matter of public record. Some information, which goes to strategy, could potentially compromise the effectiveness of the prosecution, which after all is the most important thing.

h' said:

No gun charges. He was carrying a knife when taken into custody.

The reason he's being held has more to do with the value of the stolen merchandise, I think, but I defer to Kevin.

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Permalink Reply by Len Krietz on December 1, 2011 at 7:26am

Did jury duty there last month. I brought my phone in with no problems. Can't use in court but ok in halls (you can even use it in a designated area of the jury room).

A.K.A Paul said:

Does anyone know if that skokie courthouse is one that wont allow cell phones in the building?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Davo on December 1, 2011 at 12:22pm

It's amazing how you can accumulate random things at random times where, individually there is nothing that wierd, but put them together and its a whole different story.

This reminded me of when I was in college and was moving into a duplex. I went to the store to get a cooking knife for my new roomate, some trash bags, and to rent a carpet shampooer. It hit me that these things might be a strange combination when I got in the check out line.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on December 1, 2011 at 5:16pm

This case has a long way to go. Torres is still in custody, but she didn't know if it was due to a prior warrant (I think it is, because the No Bond order was issued in Rolling Meadows). The weapons charge is a class 3 felony, which I believe usually involves a firearm, and may or may not be as a result of a second offense. Possession of knives is usually a misdemeanor unless it's actually used to threaten or injure. (On this, I defer to the criminal attorneys out there). I may order a copy of the criminal complaint(s) next week. There's no trial date yet, so I would expect tomorrow to be a disappointing show for all but the most hardcore court rats.

Kevin C said:

I got the name of the lead prosecuter for this case on Wednesday. I called to find out if she'd talk to me about any of the particulars, but she wasn't in. I'll try again today to find out what I can, but understand that I don't know if she WILL talk to me, and don't know what if anything she says will be for public consumption. Some information is a matter of public record. Some information, which goes to strategy, could potentially compromise the effectiveness of the prosecution, which after all is the most important thing.

h' said:

No gun charges. He was carrying a knife when taken into custody.

The reason he's being held has more to do with the value of the stolen merchandise, I think, but I defer to Kevin.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 12, 2012 at 4:45pm

It is with great joy that I have to report that the Wilmette Police arrested Kenneth Robertson again yesterday, January 11th, and charged him with felony bike theft. His prior bond was revoked, and his current bond was set at $75,000. This should be "game over." The press release is below.

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Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on January 12, 2012 at 5:03pm

Gilberto Torres has remained in custody since his arrest in June. The new alleged accomplice, Anthony Catena, has apparently not made bail, and is in custody. Can't find Robertson in the system, so he may have posted bail today.