Crime & Safety

Regional Police Report: Arrest in Double Stabbing; Massive Fire and More

By Brian Slupski
Crystal Lake

Suspect in Crystal Lake Double Stabbing Captured

The 30-year-old man wanted in a July 2 double stabbing that left a Crystal Lake couple in critical condition has been captured.

Jimmy Bell Jr., of Elgin, was arrested in Tuscaloosa Alabama by members of the U.S. Marshal's Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, police said.

Bell has been wanted since Crystal Lake police found a couple stabbed and seriously injured at 4:17 a.m. July 2 in the 1500 block of Isle Royal Circle. A 28-year-old woman and her 23-year-old boyfriend had each been stabbed multiple times.

For more on this story.

Barrington

Lightning Strike Causes Massive Fire

Barrington Fire Department and Barrington Countryside Fire Protection District were called to a fire at Terra Vita Drive at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday caused by a lightening strike, according to a press release.

The occupants of the house were able to escape but heavy smoke and flames were reported on the roof.

Firefighters were on the scene in seven minutes and began fighting the fire from inside, then were forced back due to a backdrafts that caused a partial collapse of a rear part of the roof, the release stated.

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Flames spread quickly through the attic, fueled by the type of construction material used on the single family home, firefighters said. Multiple hot spots were concealed in different areas, which meant it took awhile to extinguish the fire, officials said.

For video from the scene.

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A former Des Plaines teacher hastaken a plea deal for sexting one of his students, the Northwest Herald reports.

Jack K. Pickup of Barrington was arrested in July of 2012 for texting sexual messages to a former Chippewa Middle School student after she had graduated from 8th grade. Police say Pickup sent the girl a photo of his exposed genitals. 

Read the initial report of Pickup's arrest.

Pickup, 35, pleaded guilty to the charges against him in exchange for the felony charge to be reduced to misdemeanor harassment by electronic communication, the newspaper reports. Pickup has been sentenced to two years probation, 200 hours of public service and was given a $2,000 fine.

Arlington Heights

Images of Man Who Tried to Rob Woman Released

Arlington Heights Police have released images of a man who knocked down an elderly woman an attempted to take her purse in the Jewel/Osco parking lot, 1860 S. Arlington Heights Rd. on July 3. 

Earlier Report: 

A 76-year-old woman was knocked down and her purse taken by a would-be robber in the Jewel/Osco parking lot, on July 3. The woman was walking toward the store with a cane, when she felt a pull on her purse. She turned around, and an unknown offender was attempting to take the purse. She began hitting the offender with her cane and yelled for help.

A 29-year-old witness ran toward her, but the offender grabbed her purse and ran. The witness then ran after the offender, tackled him, and was able to gain possession of the purse before he fled westbound on Golf Rd. The purse was returned to the victim. The offender is described as a white male, wearing a baseball cap, a long-sleeved black shirt and blue jeans.

Anyone having information about this or any other serious crime in Arlington Heights should submit an anonymous text tip by texting the keyword 847AHPD and your message to 847411 (tip411) or call  Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers at (847) 590-STOP. Callers are guaranteed anonymity and may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000.


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