Midwest
Migrant crime a 'real problem' in Chicago suburb after six more charged in Macy's retail thefts: police chief
Six migrants from Venezuela and Chile stole over $10,000 from a Macy’s in a suburb of Chicago in two separate retail theft incidents on Tuesday, authorities said.
The retail thefts occurred at the Macy’s department store located at 1 Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook, a store that has been plagued with a string of thefts and burglaries by migrants in recent months.
“I believe that six felony arrests in one day illustrates that migrant criminal activity is a real problem,” Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis said in a written statement on Wednesday.
In one case that occurred just before 6:30 p.m., 20-year-old Nicolas Paillacan-Bravo and 34-year-old David Saez-Vega allegedly removed anti-theft devices from merchandise with a magnet they had taken into the store, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office said.
STRING OF RETIAL THEFTS, BURGLARIES BY MIGRANTS PLAGUING CHICAGO SUBURB: AUTHORITIES
Nicolas Paillacan-Bravo, 20, and David Saez-Vega, 34, were charged with burglary and retail theft. Both men are from Chile and currently residing in Chicago, police said. (DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office)
The men, who are from Chile and staying in Chicago, allegedly stuffed 54 items into two suitcases they had taken from the luggage department. Officials said the cost of the items totaled approximately $10,155.
Police were waiting outside the store when the two men exited without paying for the merchandise, according to authorities.
Officers had earlier responded to another retail theft at the store involving four Venezuelan migrants, all of whom were staying in Countryside, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.
Elvis Rodriguez-Rubio, 28, and Gabriela Salzar-Vasquez, 30, were charged with burglary and retail theft. Both migrants are from Venezuela and currently residing in Countryside, Illinois, police said. (DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office)
The suspects were identified as Elvis Rodriguez-Rubio, 28, Gabriela Salzar-Vasquez, 30, Victor Sevilla-Arteaga, 33, and 27-year-old Danielis Vasquez-Arteaga.
The group went to the store’s Tommy Hilfiger section, where they took merchandise from the racks into a fitting room on the second floor, where the women exited wearing all of the items, officials said.
Victor Sevilla-Arteaga, 33, and Danielis Vasquez-Arteaga, 27, were charged with burglary and retail theft. Both migrants are from Venezuela and currently residing in Countryside, Illinois, police said. (DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office)
When the four left the store wearing the merchandise, authorities said that a loss prevention officer intercepted them outside. The items totaled approximately $927.
All six migrants were charged with one count of burglary, a class two felony, and one count of retail theft, a class three felony.
MORE VENEZUELAN MIGRANTS RESIDING IN CHICAGO CAUGHT STEALING FROM SUBURBAN MACY’S STORE, AUTHORITIES SAY
During their first court appearance Wednesday, prosecutors said a judge denied the state’s motion to detain the defendants.
In late October, Oak Brook Deputy Chief of Police Reid Foltyniewicz warned the public of “the increase in criminal activity from the migrant community coming from Chicago.”
From Octtober 23 to January 17, a total of 47 migrants were arrested in Oak Brook, Illinois, most of whom were charged with retail theft and burglary, Strockis told Fox New Digital last week.
Strockis said on Wednesday that the sheer number of these types of arrests in the past few months is “significant” and that the department was prepared to continue enforcing the law.
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“We are well prepared to continue our enforcement efforts, and I can assure you that there are easier places to commit these crimes than Oak Brook or DuPage County,” the chief said.
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Minnesota
Dennis Peterson
With family by his side, Dennis “Bud” Peterson went to be with the Lord on the morning of June 1, 2026.
He was born at Drake, North Dakota on April 2, 1932 in the home of his parents Nick and Helen Peterson. The family moved to Duluth at the beginning of World War II.
After graduation from Duluth Central High School Bud served in the US Army in Korea during the Korean War, and received an Honorable Discharge with the rank of Sergeant. He used his GI Bill benefits to attend UMD receiving an Associate Degree, and also earned his Commercial Instrument Pilot rating.
Bud was a longtime employee of St. Louis County retiring as Supervisor of Roads and Bridges. In retirement he served as Boiler Engineer and a do it all repairman for Duluth Gospel Tabernacle. He generously devoted his time and talents as a consummate do it yourself repairman to all of his family.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Nick & Helen Peterson; brother, Robert Peterson; sister, June (Don) Kruger; and infant brother and sister, James and Delores Peterson.
He is survived by his sister, Carol (Eli) Miletich; and numerous nieces and nephews all of whom he loved dearly.
At Bud’s request, his family will be holding a private funeral service. Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home 218-727-3555.
Missouri
Water Safety Tips from Missouri State Highway Patrol – Ozark Radio News
As summer recreation ramps up across Missouri, safety officials are reminding residents that water safety begins long before anyone steps into a lake or river. Understanding the risks of water activities, knowing personal limits, and making responsible choices are the foundation of preventing tragedies on the water.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol and other safety agencies emphasize that natural waterways can present hidden hazards, including strong currents, sudden drop‑offs, and floating debris. Swimmers are urged to stay aware of their surroundings, use life jackets when appropriate, and avoid swimming alone.
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Officials say simple precautions—such as recognizing fatigue, monitoring weather conditions, and watching out for others in your group—can make the difference between a fun day on the water and a dangerous situation. As families head outdoors, authorities encourage everyone to treat water safety as a shared responsibility.
Nebraska
Three-Time Nebraska State Champion Eje Kim Sends Commitment to Yale for 2027
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Three-time Nebraska High School State champion Eje Kim has announced his verbal commitment to the admissions process at Yale University as a part of the Bulldogs 2027 recruiting class.
Kim wrote the following about his commitment.
I’m extremely excited to announce my verbal commitment to the admissions process at Yale University! I want to thank my coaches, Pat, Miranda, Gaby, Randy, Katie, Uriah, and Emma for creating my love for swimming and pushing me to the limits. I also want to thank the Yale coaching staff, Jim, Kyle, Joey, and Dana for giving me this amazing opportunity. Thank you to my teammates, Mason, Mason, Ryan, Quinn, Bennett, and Nolan for making practice fun and becoming such good friends. Lastly, thank you to my parents. GO BULLDOGS! 🐶💙
Kim hails from Lincoln, Neb., where he represents Club Husker and Lincoln East High School. As a junior, Kim secured a pair of Nebraska State championship titles, winning both the 100 backstroke in 48.32 and the 100 fly in 47.95. As a sophomore, he claimed his first state championship title in the 100 back, clocking 49.73.
A few weeks after those championships, he raced at the Speedo Sectionals in Columbia, where he won the 50 fly in 21.63, and set a plethora of lifetime bests in the process, including the 50 free (21.22), 100 back (47.83), 200 back (1:44.17), and the 100 fly (47.81).
Best Times SCY:
- 100 Back: 47.83
- 200 Back: 1:44.17
- 100 Fly: 47.81
- 50 Free: 21.22
- 100 Free: 46.44
- 200 Free: 1:40.60
- 200 IM: 1:52.82
Kim is set to join a Yale men’s program that finished just under 200 points behind Ivy League Champions Princeton at the 2026 Men’s Ivy League Championships.
Based on Kim’s best times, he would have finished tied for 11th in the 200 back, 14th in the 100 back, and 20th in the 100 fly.
Kim’s immediate scoring ability is a major upside, and in the highly competitive Ivy League, Yale could use all of the points they can get to creep up to the top of the Ivy League.
With another year until he makes his collegiate debut, Kim still has plenty of time to build up his base times and make an even more significant impact on the Ivy League stage from year one.
Yale was productive in all of Kim’s events at the 2026 Ivy League Championships, including 51 points in the 100 back, 55 points in the 100 fly, and another 74 in the 200 back.
Kim joins Fin McLane, Charles Knoepp, Evan Pan-Wang, and Edward Zhang in Yale’s 2027 recruiting class.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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