Police Blotter: Snow Scuffle, Armed Robbery, Stolen Purse

Snow Scuffle

On Feb. 1, police arrested Matthew Zabrowski, 26, of the 600 block of S. Milwaukee Ave., for punching a man in the face.

The victim was out shoveling snow on East Austin Avenue when he saw Zaborowski strike a couple of garbage cans with his car. Police say Zabrowski apparently took offense when the victim asked him to avoid damaging the cans by manually moving them. 

The victim required no medical attention, but police say the man had a slight bruise on his forehead. The victim’s fiancé, who witnessed the incident, phoned the police.

Zabrowski was cited for battery and released on personal bond. His court date is set for March 7.

Armed Robbery

A man was allegedly beaten and robbed after leaving a downtown bar on Feb. 5. The robbery occurred in the parking lot behind Tommy’s Bar & Grill, 137 Lake St. Police say the robbers were described as white males, one was tall of stocky build, had a mustache and was wearing a blue hat. The other male was described as tall and skinny with dark hair.

The victim told police the men threw him on the ground after he refused to give them money. He said the robbers beat him with a baseball bat. The victim sustained injuries to his head, torso, arms and legs. Police are investigating the case.

Purse Stolen from Car

A business in Red Top Plaza, 13000 S. Milwaukee Ave., reported that someone stole her purse from her car on Feb. 4. She told police she parked the car behind the business at 9 a.m. and when she returned at 11:25 a.m., the driver side of her car window was smashed and her black leather Fossil purse was missing, along with cash, credit and debit cards, gift cards and identifications. The loss was estimated at $700. The car was locked at the time of the theft.

A patron at Libertyville Club, 1030 S. Fourth Ave., reported that her purse was stolen from her car on Feb. 4. The rear passenger window of her car was broken out and her black leather purse containing identification and credit cards was missing. Police say the theft occurred between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. No estimate of loss was given.