Cops: Sexual predator was staring at girl in McDonald’s play area
Posted:
Updated:
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. (Sun-Times Media Wire) -
A convicted sexual predator is back behind bars after being caught staring at a young girl at McDonald's restaurant playground area in the northwest suburbs.
Witnesses said Joseph O'Brien, 36, was in the indoor play area near a table of mothers and children at the McDonald's in 1900 block of East Higgins Road in Elk Grove Township, according to a release from the Cook County Sheriff's office.
Patrons complained he was staring at an 11-year-old girl and a manager asked him to leave and called police, the release said. The manager told deputies it was not the first time O'Brien had been asked to leave the play area.
O'Brien, a registered sex offender, told deputies he was staying at a nearby motel instead of his registered address in Maine Township, police said. He was charged with felony failing to update his address to police and criminal trespassing.
Bond was set at $75,000 at a Dec. 24 hearing in Rolling Meadows, police said. He remains in Cook County Jail pending a Jan. 18 preliminary hearing.
O'Brien was placed on the sex offender list after being convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse causing bodily harm in Cook County in 2001, authorities said. He was 21 at the time, and the victim was 23.
Police said he's been arrested 24 times since 1995, and was convicted in October 2006 and July 2010 of failing to register as a sex offender.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:50 AM EDT2013-05-25 14:50:09 GMT
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another heart-wrenching tragedy.
The tornado that struck Oklahoma on Monday took a devastating toll in the number of lives lost and property destroyed. But amidst the anguish and destruction there is another "heart-wrenching" tragedy -- displaced pets.
Monday, February 25 2013 1:41 PM EST2013-02-25 18:41:37 GMT
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Just as Oscar host Seth MacFarlane set his sights on a variety of targets with a mixture of hits and misses, the motion picture academy spread the gold around to a varied slate of films.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:20 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:20:26 GMT
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
A northwest suburban Elgin woman faces felony charges for promoting the prostitution of a 17-year-old girl, following a three-month undercover investigation conducted by Aurora police.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:40:54 GMT
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
As it waits to hear if it'll receive a $7 million bailout to stay open, Roseland Community Hospital laid off almost 70 employees, and other hospital employees will take a pay cut.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:27 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:27:07 GMT
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Portage Theater owner Eddie Carranza said the doors to the historic movie palace will stay closed for several months, or at least until he can transfer a license to a new operator.
Saturday, May 25 2013 11:04 AM EDT2013-05-25 15:04:24 GMT
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings.
City residents sick of coupons piling up on their front doorsteps filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month urging the Chicago Tribune and Valassis Communications to stop distributing the mailings on their properties.
Police say actress Amanda Bynes has been arrested in midtown Manhattan after she heaved a marijuana bong out of a window.
Actress Amanda Bynes appeared disheveled in a long blond wig and sweats Friday in a criminal court where she was charged with reckless endangerment after police said she heaved a marijuana bong out the window of her...
Friday, May 24 2013 10:16 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:16:28 GMT
A Lake County jury has convicted James Ealy of strangling his former boss during a 2006 robbery at the north suburban Burger King restaurant where he once worked.
A Lake County jury has convicted James Ealy of strangling his former boss during a 2006 robbery at the north suburban Burger King restaurant where he once worked.
Thursday, May 23 2013 8:32 PM EDT2013-05-24 00:32:17 GMT
A couple accused of murdering a 1-month-old boy and allegedly dumping the body in the Des Plaines River pleaded not guilty to the crime during a Thursday court hearing in Maywood.
A couple accused of murdering a 1-month-old boy and allegedly dumping the body in the Des Plaines River pleaded not guilty to the crime during a Thursday court hearing in Maywood.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:46:28 GMT
Thieves have struck a Streeterville area construction site a handful of times over the past week, taking tools and construction materials, police said.
Thieves have struck a Streeterville area construction site a handful of times over the past week, taking tools and construction materials, police said.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:15 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:15:44 GMT
Antwone Price had just moved into a new house in the south suburbs, and he was talking about finally marrying the woman he'd been with for several years — the woman with whom he shared a baby girl.
Antwone Price had just moved into a new house in the south suburbs, and he was talking about finally marrying the woman he'd been with for several years — the woman with whom he shared a baby girl.