Police looking for suburban dads
A two-week Cook County sheriff’s police sting operation targeting deadbeat dads resulted in 80 arrests of men who owe more than $1.7 million collectively in unpaid child support, but 20 seriously delinquent men could not be found, according to police.
Included in those 20 whom the Cook County sheriff’s office hopes the public will help locate are an Elk Grove Village man, a Bensenville man, a Geneva man and a Des Plaines man.
“I’m happy that our office is sending a message to all deadbeat parents — support your kids, or we’re coming after you,” said Sheriff Tom Dart in a news release.
About 45 investigators with the sheriff’s department began conducting door-to-door sweeps starting on June 1 in an effort to finish the sting by Father’s Day, according to police.
Of the suburban men who remain at large, Tommie Brown, 32, with a last known address in the 900 block of Hartford Lane in Elk Grove Village owes $4,911; John Maloney, 42, of the 300 block of Ellis Drive in Bensenville owes $11,106; Todd Mendoza, 41, of the 100 block of North Third Street in Geneva owes $20,470; and Duane Petrick, 47, of the 400 block of South Lyman Avenue in Des Plaines owes $4,641.
Among those arrested, the highest amount of unpaid support was owed by a Chicago man who police said owed $213,677.
Police are asking anyone with information on wanted men to call the Central Warrants Unit at (708) 865-4902.