CHICAGO – A Venezuelan migrant is charged with manufacturing and delivering cocaine and marijuana near Pritzker Park in the Loop. The park, located across the street from the Standard Club migrant shelter, has become a hub of illegal activity. The city just constructed a barrier so that the park may be closed off at night.
Police attempted to stop Franklin Antonio Romero Villanueva around 7:30 p.m. on July 30 to inform him that riding his bike on the sidewalk was illegal, according to a CPD report. However, as cops approached, Villanueva attempted to drop a bag and flee, according to the report.
The officers apprehended Villanueva nearby and allegedly discovered 79 individually rolled joints, 5.6 grams of cocaine, and a switchblade in his baggage. He was freed from the police station after being charged with manufacturing and delivering cocaine near a park, manufacturing and delivering cannabis and carrying a controlled substance on two separate occasions. He is expected in court next month.
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Villanueva’s arrest is his second since landing in Chicago. Employees at Target, 1200 North Larrabee, accused him last December of attempting to shoplift a backpack, apparel, and a juice blender for more than $300.
In one case, he was charged with misdemeanor retail theft, but court records show he did not appear in court on January 31. Despite his inability to appear, prosecutors dismissed the charge the same day.
Villanueva isn’t the only Standard Club member charged with unlawfully selling goods downtown. However, the charges against four of his sheltermates are very different.
On July 15, Chicago police arrested four shelter occupants on Michigan Avenue near Millennium Park for allegedly operating a souvenir stall packed with stolen products.
According to a CPD report, detectives began investigating the operation after an employee of a local souvenir store provided them with a picture of vendors selling stolen products from their shelves.
Officers allegedly discovered Franyer Gonzalez Veloz, 32; Alexander Arteaga Gonzalez, 33; Nelso Garay Cruz, 39; and Rocnedy Mendoza Gonzalez, 33, nearby with a quantity of allegedly stolen trinkets to sell.
According to a police report, officers discovered a collection of Chicago-themed magnets as well as a huge garbage bag containing baseball caps and souvenir t-shirts.
All four individuals face two counts of misdemeanor stealing.