Aborted Balmoral Park heist yields prison terms
Four reputed Chicago mob figures convicted in the 1983 Balmoral Park Race Track aborted robbery were sentenced in federal court. Paul DiCaro received six years, with parole eligibility in 1996 from an 18 year cobalt theft and 1978 robbery sentence. Walter Leszynski, Michael Gurgone, and Thomas Harty drew 10, 3, and six years respectively.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pete Reynolds
Balmoral Park
Crete
Paul DiCaro
Oak Lawn
Chicago
U.S
Harry Leinenweber
DiCaro
Chicago Heights
Walter
Walt the Polack
Leszynski
Michael
Mickey” Gurgone
Thomas Harty
Organized Crime Strike Force
Debra Rae Bernard
Harry
Balmoral
Panczko
James “Duke” Basile
Blue Island
Basile
Palos Heights drug suspect alleges coerced confession
George Koulegeorge 33 testifies in Cook County Circuit Court that Chicago Heights detectives pressured him to admit ownership of nearly 25 pounds of marijuana or face arrest of his mother. He described a closed door meeting with Capt. Mangialardi while officials implied the conversation was off the record and the threat of his mother’s arrest persisted. The case, tied to traffic of cannabis found in two cars linked to his mother, was continued to August 17 for Mangialardi’s testimony.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pete Reynolds
Palos Heights
Chicago Heights
George Koulegeorge
Markham
Cook County
Barry S. Pechter
Koulegeorge
Allen Vehrs
Anthony Bartolomei
Sam Mangialardi
Suburbs See Drug Crime Rise Amid Escalating Urban Spillover
Chicago area police report a surge in drug use and gang activity spilling from urban centers into suburbs. Cocaine and crack use are described as epidemic levels in Illinois, fueling more violent crime and drug-related killings across suburban departments near city borders. Capt. Richard Stultz notes drug activity fuels violence.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Fletcher
Illinois
Chicago Heights
Richard Stultz
Stultz
Chicago
YMCA facility dispute and community impact on lifeguard hours
YMCA guardians at eight dollars an hour sat watching a single swimmer amid tensions with GSU facility managers. Metropolitan YMCA argued for ongoing support and budgeting help, while critics cited poor publicity and unilateral closure. Residents praised the pool as a lifeline for seniors, and some members demanded clearer notice of the shutdown.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Metropolitan Y
Matt Ottaviano
Metropolitan Ymca
GSU
Ottaviano
Jaffe
YMCA
Thigpen
Liese Ricketts
Mary Lou Stanley
Senior Wheels ridership climbs as budget trims persist
Fa laney notes a 45 percent rise in Senior Wheels riders from 1984 to 1989 while the service budget falls 13 percent. The program is projected to serve 17,000 riders next year, averaging nearly five per hour, up from 7,200 patrons in 1984-85. Officials consider replacing aging buses as housing for seniors expands in the township.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Falaney
Pace
Residents plead case over proposed facility dispute
Management Specialists president cites local footage with Chicago Heights residents around the proposed site. ABC Nightline crews recently covered the issue. The suit seeks to stop city interference with construction by Residential Facilities Management Specialists, plus compensation for injuries and a federal civil penalty. First offense maxes at 50 000 dollars.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Management Specialists
Chicago Heights
ABC
Nightline
Not Guilty Verdict in 1987 South Heights Assault Case
A Markham court jury found Dillard Farrar not guilty of aggravated kidnapping attempted sexual assault and armed violence in the 1987 abduction of a South Chicago Heights woman. The defense argued misidentification while prosecutors cited details from the victim’s testimony. Farrar remains imprisoned for a separate 1987 Chicago Heights sexual assault and faces release June 12 next year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
South Chicago Heights
Markham
Dillard Farrar
Will E. Gierach
Farrar
Willie Mae Farrar
Miller St
Patrick McKee
McKee
Albert Rosendahl
Also Mentioned on This Page
Gurgone
The
Chicago Streets and Sanitation Department
Mary Jo DiGiovanni
Derrick Herkes
Houlegeorge
Mangialardi
Celeste Stuart
Glenwood
Sauk Village
Steger
James R. Tharpbert J. Tharp
Visa & Master Card
Discover Call
W. Lincoln Hwy
Liberty Building
Olympia Fields
Simerican Gales
Silver Lake Pools Cae
Ieee
And
Malibu
Mallin
Homecrest
Tropstone
Brown Jordan
Grosfillex
Monterey Bay
Winston and More
Ridgeview
Harlem
Orland Park
167Th & LaGrange
Orland Square
City Grill
Wu Neal
Weber Genesis
Lansing
Merrillville
Lincoln
Florida
Hilton Inn Florida Center
Hilton Inn Gateway
Oregon
Ous Sales
South Heights
Palmer Blvd
Homewood
175Th St
Governors Hwy
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