Elmwood Park man charged with drug possession, delivery

Elmwood Park police executed a search warrant at 2906 N. 73rd Ave. the afternoon of Sept. 27. | Contributed photo

Updated: November 5, 2012 6:21AM

ELMWOOD PARK — Charges have been filed against an Elmwood Park man after police executed a search warrant for illegal narcotics at his home.

At 2:10 p.m. Sept. 27, Elmwood Park police executed a search warrant at 2906 N. 73rd Ave., with dogs from the Stone Park Police Department’s Canine Unit assisting. Angel Arteaga was charged with felony unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, felony unlawful delivery of marijuana, felony possession of marijuana, felony possession of a controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, Oct. 3.

Residents had discussed the alleged activities at the house and an empty home next door at a village-wide community policing meeting earlier this month.

Fagiano noted the department has spent a “substantial amount of time” developing its case, including gathering enough evidence to prove probable cause before a judge issued the search warrant

“We had that sufficient evidence,” he said, declining to go into specifics.

As the department developed its case for a warrant, neighbors began coming forward with tales of drugs being sold in the alley, Village Manager Paul Volpe said.

“It’s helpful to have that community input,” he said. “It was encouraging that the community confirmed what the police department was already investigating.”

Felicia Wolf, 69, has lived on the block for more than 60 years and was glad the police intervened.

“It makes me feel a bit more secure and safe,” she said.

She remembers when everyone knew each other on the block. Now the neighborhood has changed.

Todd Luchtman lives a few houses south of the home raided by police. He wasn’t there to see it, but breathed a sigh of relief when he heard about.

“It’s about time,” he said.

He said he works hard and he and his family deserve to live in a safe community free from drug activity.

“I got two little ones,” he said. “I want a nice clean area.”

“If I had wanted this I would have stayed in the city,” he said. “As a community, we put our foot down and said enough is enough and we’re not going to take it anymore.”

Fagiano said the incident is an isolated case.

“We believe the suspect is working alone,” he said, unlike police departments, which share resources.

Stone Park was happy to assist with its canine unit, Fagiano said.

“We’re very fortunate Stone Park is close by and willing to work with us,” he said.

Stone Park Police Chief Giuseppe Capece said in tough economic times, sharing resources is paramount.

“Police departments in neighboring towns always help each other,” he said.

(Staff Writer Cathryn Gran contributed to this report)

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