An armed robbery occurred at the Protecting Parking garage, 430 S. Jefferson St., at approximately noon on July 21.

A Protected Parking employee said that the offender drew a two-tone semi-automatic handgun and said that he “wanted nothing but the money” and “didn’t want to hurt you.” The offender then ordered the employee to open the cash box — at which point the employee handed over the $1,200 contained in the box.

The offender then ran away west on Tilden St.

Edgar Martinez, 29 from Arlington, Texas, was charged with cannabis possession after police found 700 grams of cannabis in his duffel bag July 25 on the CTA platform at 100 W. Randolph St.

A CTA patron told police that she spotted Martinez taking photos of the trains, tracks, tunnels and fixtures on the Clark and Lake CTA platform. The police then saw Martinez take a picture of the far end of the tunnel before he traveled up to the next level of the Clark and Lake stop. The officers then followed the subject, and asked him if they could look inside his duffel bag.

Martinez agreed and police discovered seven clear plastic bags with cannabis that had an estimated value of $4,200. Martinez is allegedly affiliated with the Latin Kings and told police he had information regarding gangs and guns.

Leah Avakian, 31 of Hickory Hills, was charged with possessing over 500 grams of cannabis and Tristin Spurlin, 28 also of Hickory Hills, was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun following a brief police car chase in the South Loop.

On July 22 on the 200 block of East 21st Street, police saw a red 2006 Jeep fail to stop at a stop sign and pulled the Jeep over. But as the officer left his vehicle, the Jeep sped away. It was then pulled over a second time a block away and Avakian and Spurlin were ordered out of the vehicle.

Once Spurlin left the passenger seat, police observed in plain view a blue steel semi-automatic handgun with an extended clip. A subsequent vehicle search revealed a white plastic Target bag and brown plastic Jewel bag containing cannabis. Police weighed the drugs at the station and found there was in total two pounds of cannabis.

A Chicago man was brought into police custody for hijacking a Lexus sedan and then fighting with police the evening of July 23 at 175 N. Harbor Drive. Charges are pending against the suspect.

The suspect shoved the Lexus driver and jumped into the running automobile. The driver, however, was able to jump in front of the suspect and remove the keys before the offender could drive away. Police then arrived to place the offender in custody, but he became “enraged and highly combative,” flailing his arms and feet at the police.

An officer attempted to place the offender into custody, but the offender struck the officer about the left side of the face with a closed fist, causing visible swelling and redness.

The offender was shocked with a Taser and ultimately subdued, but the struck officer sustained injuries to his right hand and had to be placed on a stretcher. He was treated at Northwestern Hospital.

An aggravated assault occurred outside the Noodles & Company restaurant at 180 N. Michigan Ave. on July 23 as a restaurant waiter allegedly pulled a knife on an irate customer.

The customer had complained that his food order was incorrect and told police that employees gave him a hard time about his complaints. As the customer departed the restaurant, several employees stood outside and made disparaging comments about his complaints.

The patron approached and shouted an expletive and said employees shouldn’t talk to customers like that. The waiter then allegedly pulled out a one-blade pocketknife and asked the customer what he was going to do. The customer and a witness then walked away and called police.

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By none from loop
Posted: 02/22/2012 9:04 PM

this article is not truthful about leah avakian alot of lies! i wonder if the newpaper will post a new article when she beats this case will they correct their mistakes???? dont believe everything you read is all i have to say

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By Maddy from Near east side
Posted: 08/13/2011 12:48 PM

The offender who was arrested at 175 Harbor Dr. had also tried to steal a car from 155 N. Harbor Dr. garage but was chased by the attendant. who called the police.