Accused drugged driver allegedly drives into tree

Orland Park police arrested Vincent L. Benvenuto, 21, of Orland Park, and charged him with driving under the influence (DUI) of drugs, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia at 10:46 a.m. Jan. 13 after he allegedly drove off the road and hit a tree in the 8300 block of 135th Street. Police said Benvenuto was “disoriented” following the crash. Police found hypodermic needles in his back pocket and a burnt spoon commonly used to smoke heroin in his car, according to the police report. Benvenuto was also charged with unlawful use of a weapon after police found a spring-loaded pocketknife in his car, police said. Benvenuto was scheduled to appear in court Jan. 14 at the Cook County 5th District Municipal Courthouse in Bridgeview.

In other Orland Park police news, Melvin D. Hankins, 55, of Homer Glen, was arrested at 3:19 p.m. Jan. 5 and charged with DUI, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and operating an uninsured motor vehicle after he allegedly caused a four-car crash near 143rd Street and Will Cook Road, according to the police report. Hankins was scheduled to appear in court Jan. 26 in Bridgeview.

Robert A. Weseman, 22, of Tinley Park, was arrested at 3:22 a.m. Jan. 1 and charged with DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, speeding and not wearing a seat belt after he allegedly drove 60 mph in a 35 mph zone near 78th Court and 159th Street, police said. Weseman also had a hitter box commonly used to store cannabis in his possession, according to the police report. He was scheduled to appear in court Jan. 20 in Bridgeview.

Kellie M. Green, 32, of River-dale, was arrested at 12:43 a.m. Jan. 7 and charged with posses- sion of cannabis, not restraining a child, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, driving on a suspended license and obstructed windshield, police said. Police stopped Greene in the 9200 block of 143rd Street and observed that her two children, ages 8 and 5, wore no seat belts, and that she had a cigar containing cannabis in her possession, according to the police report. Greene had a court date Jan. 26 in Bridgeview and has a hearing Feb. 9 at the Orland Park Civic Center.

Ryan M. Slager, 18, of Monee, was cited with possession of cannabis at 9:48 p.m. Jan. 6, police said. Slager and another teen were in a car in Marcus Theater’s parking lot when police found cigar-rolling papers with cannabis residue in his possession, police said. Slager has a hearing Feb. 9 at the Orland Park Civic Center.

Brian R. Smith, 19, of Orland Park, was cited with possession of cannabis at 12:22 a.m. after police observed him stick something into his pocket while sitting in a parked car in the 15500 block of Peachtree Drive, police said. During a search, a baggie of cannabis fell out of Smith’s sleeve, according to the police report. He has a hearing Feb. 9 at the Orland Park Civic Center.

Francisco J. Frausto, 18, of Tin-ley Park, was cited with retail theft at 3:21 p.m. Jan. 10 after he removed a shirt and watch costing a total of $99 from a department store in the Orland Square mall without rendering payment, police said. His hearing is Feb. 9 at the Orland Park Civic Center.

Rawan Althaher, 18, and Tugba Aksoy, 18, both of Orland Park, were arrested at 1:29 p.m. Jan. 12 and charged with retail theft after they allegedly removed items from a department store in the Orland Square mall without rendering payment, police said. Althaher allegedly took seven items costing $380 and Aksoy took items costing $186, according to the police report. Both women have a court date March 5 in Bridgeview.

Nicholas J. Hermanek, 37, of Orland Park, was cited with possession of cannabis at 9:30 p.m. Jan. 11 after he allegedly purchased cannabis in the parking lot of McDonald’s restaurant in the 9100 block of 159th Street, police said. His hearing is Feb. 9 at the Orland Park Civic Center.

Jason C. Young, 30, of Oak Lawn, was arrested at 1:02 a.m. Jan. 11 and charged with DUI, improper lane usage, driving on a suspended license and no rear taillight after police stopped him near 131st Street and La Grange Road for swerving in his lane, police said. He was scheduled to appear in court Jan. 26 in Bridgeview.

Shakeita T. Johnson, 23, of Chicago, was arrested at 7:29 p.m. Jan. 4 and charged with disorderly conduct, criminal trespass to property and assault after she allegedly verbally attacked an employee of a store at the Orland Square mall, police said. Johnson and three acquaintances were suspected of retuning stolen items for cash and Johnson swore and threatened an employee, police said. She was scheduled to appear in court Jan. 26 in Bridgeview.

Patrick West, 52, of Orland Park, was arrested at 2:38 a.m. Jan. 4 and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property after he allegedly tried to pry open his ex-girlfriend’s door, police said. He had a court date Jan. 4 in Bridgeview.

Tyree D. Brock-Tolbert, 20, of Orland Hills, was arrested at 2:57 p.m. Jan. 13 and charged with retail theft after he allegedly removed a bottle of wine costing $45 from a store in the 9300 block of 159th Street, police said. His court date is March 5 in Bridgeview.