Prospect Heights police report hit‑and‑run leads, new victim services and staffing gains

The Prospect Heights Fire & Police Commission on Wednesday received a wide‑ranging update from Police Chief Thurman that detailed investigations, personnel moves and community outreach. Chief Thurman reported investigators have developed “very good leads” in a fatal hit‑and‑run on Palatine Frontage Road near the airport and that the case is under review by the assistant state's attorney; no formal charges have been filed yet.

The chief singled out volunteers and city staff who helped at the May 16 city shredding event, saying two volunteers he identified as Barb and Marsha and Joe Cassata from Public Works “kept the individual calm and provided help” when a person at the event showed signs of a narcotic overdose.

Thurman announced the promotion of Tyler Farina to the rank of sergeant, calling it “a true reflection of years of dedication, leadership [and] professionalism.” He outlined the department’s promotional process and said a new sergeant promotional exam, oral interview and merit board assessment center are planned for the fall; a new list is expected in January 2027.

The chief described a pattern of fast early‑morning burglaries targeting businesses that house gaming machines. He said crews typically enter in unplated or stolen vehicles, break windows and remove deposit boxes in runs lasting 30 seconds to a few minutes. The department has assigned directed patrols during vulnerable time windows and recommended that business owners consider metal roll‑down shutters; one local establishment has already submitted permitting to install them.

On victim services, Thurman said the department has ended its contract with the Cook County Treatment Response Team and signed with the Kenneth Young Center, which can provide remote social‑service support and access to temporary housing through a program the transcript refers to as the “Living Room” in Mount Prospect/Arlington Heights. Kenneth Young staff have trained department personnel and the service has already been used several times since the contract began.

Thurman described a recent criminal sexual‑assault investigation in which detectives developed probable cause and used Flock license‑plate data to locate and arrest a suspect. “Flock alerted to this vehicle,” the chief said, and officers were able to stop the car and take the individual into custody; the suspect was charged with attempt criminal sexual assault and additional charges are pending review by the assistant state's attorney. The commission briefly discussed Flock’s public reputation; commissioners and staff noted both criticisms and that the system keeps an audit trail of user activity.

On staffing, Thurman said the department is near full strength with 23 sworn officers and that the city council approved one new full‑time officer to take the authorized total to 24. Two recruits are slated to graduate from the Illinois State Police Academy this week and will enter a 3–4 month field‑training program. The chief said he hopes to hire three more officers to add one to each patrol shift and expects the department to return to fuller staffing by the fall.

Thurman closed by reviewing recent and upcoming outreach: coffee‑with‑the‑PHP at Rob Roy, Prospect Heights Community Day, the Illinois Special Olympics Torch Run, the Prospect Heights Block Party (June 20), Run and Rock the Runway at Chicago Executive Airport, and summer trips for youth with partner organizations. He also reminded the commission that National Night Out is scheduled for Aug. 4 and a Back‑to‑School Backpack Giveaway is scheduled for Aug. 5.

Procedural business at the start and end of the meeting was brief. Commissioners moved and seconded to approve the April 29, 2026 meeting minutes; a roll‑call vote recorded Chairman Hoffman and Commissioner Fiorito voting in favor and the motion carried. No members of the public offered comment. The commission set its next regular meeting for Wednesday, July 29 at 4:00 p.m. and adjourned at 4:22 p.m.