Story posted Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Over 100 Charged In Gun Sales Investigation
Cook County Sheriff's Police announced charges against more than 100 people, several from the Northwest suburbs, in a six-month police investigation called "Operation Room Service."
The investigation occurred at hotels and motels along Mannheim Road south of O'Hare International Airport. It began when officers learned of alleged illegal gun sales at the Lido Motel, 2415 N. Mannheim Rd. in Franklin Park. While investigating that information, police began targeting more areas and people, including drug dealers that were allegedly selling contraband from motel rooms including marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.
Officers apprehended 60 people on gun or drug charges. They included Tiffany Borre, 28, of the 1500 block of Stockton Drive in Des Plaines, Chautaqua Christopher, 32, of the 1100 block of Budwood Drive in Mt. Prospect, and Thomas Koch, 21, of the 7500 block of North Elmhurst Road in Des Plaines, all three charged with delivery of a controlled substance. Also from the area was Peter D'Amico, 45, of the 1300 block of Jeanette Drive in Des Plaines, who was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Meanwhile, the vice unit conducted undercover prostitution operations at some of the same motel, taking into custody several prostitutes. Female undercover officers posing as prostitutes along Mannheim Road led to the apprehensions of several johns. A total of 58 people were taken into custody by vice police. They included Sharad Patel, 22, of the 9300 block of Maple Lane in Des Plaines, Rutul Patel, 23, of the 500 block of Jon Lane in Des Plaines, Bradley Pack, 45, of the 9400 block of Glenlake Avenue in Rosemont, and Howard Barkan, 53, of the 1300 block of Westchester Road in Buffalo Grove. Those four suspects were each charged with solicitation of a sex act.
Police also seized 18 guns, 2,000 rounds of ammunition, 259 grams of cocaine, 2,219 grams of marijuana, and more than $35,000 in cash. Officers made 52 undercover drug buys during the investigation.
Officers from the Sheriff's Central Gangs Unit, Vice Unit, and officers from the Stone Park, Franklin Park, and Melrose Park police departments, assisted in the operation.
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