Police beat

Algonquin

• The Algonquin/Lake in the Hills Fire Department responded to a small rubbish fire behind the BP Amoco gas station on South Randall Road at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday. The fire was extinguished quickly and the amount of damage was minimal, according to fire personnel.

Elgin

• Police investigating a rash of burglaries in the area of Wellington Avenue Monday questioned a man in the area. Police said they saw him drop a metal crack pipe on the ground while they were talking to him which they recovered. James C. West, 34, of 781 Lucille St., South Elgin, was charged with the possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a report. West posted a $100 bond Tuesday morning and was released from custody. His next court date is on May 15 in Elgin.

• A caller told police four people were trespassing in the basement of a building on the 300 block of West Chicago Street. A clear glass tube was found on the floor which was claimed by one of the men. Eddie J. Bartee, 52, of 369 Hickory Place, Elgin, was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, according to a report. Bartee posted a $100 bond and was released. He is scheduled to appear in court in Elgin on May 15.

• A man was seen Monday evening in a grocery store concealing two packages of pork loin valued at $12.94 on his person, police said. John T. Allison, 35, of 600 Lower Wellington Apt. B, Elgin, was detained outside the store and was charged with retail theft, according to a report. Allison posted a $100 bond and was released Tuesday morning. He is scheduled to appear at Elgin Branch Court on May 15 on the charge.

• A leaf blower, a weed eater, a chain saw, two ceiling fans, a box of tiles and two lawnmower batteries and chargers valued in excess of $500 were stolen from a carriage house on the 1000 block of Hill Avenue between April 26 and May 10. Police said the burglar removed the caulking from a window to enter the building. Police said the burglar had to be small in size because the window wasn't very big.

• A global positioning system and a radar detector were stolen after 8 p.m. Sunday from a Ford F-250 truck parked on the 100 block of Chestnut Court. The truck was parked in the street and the driver's-side window was broken allowing the burglar to enter the vehicle.

• Police were called to Wesley United Methodist Church, 1070 South St., Elgin, Monday morning where church personnel found two windows broken. Police said it appeared the two windows had been broken with rocks.