Theft, Trespassing Charges Dropped Against Ex-Building Inspector

Chicago Heights, Illinois - Charges have been dropped against former Chicago Heights building inspector Sam Hernandez. Hernandez, 36, was charged with trespassing and theft after attempting to steal windows from his house at 292 W. Maple Drive on Aug. 30, police said. Police at the time said he was arrested because he was returning to a house he no longer owned because of foreclosure.

The charges were dropped Sept. 30 at the Cook County Courthouse in Markham. Chicago Heights attorney TJ Somer said after investigating the matter upon hearing of Hernandez's arrest he discovered that Hernandez still owned the house.

"The charges had to be dismissed and the state's attorney concurred," Somer said. Public records show REO Properties filed a foreclosure notice on the house in October 2007.

Hernandez said he missed work in 2007 because of illness and could not make his mortgage payments for three months. In November of that year, he paid off his debts and a judge dropped the foreclosure suit. Although Hernandez owns the house in Chicago Heights, he lives with his family in Chicago. Since he quit his city job in August, Hernandez said he has received four municipal tickets on his property for standing water, high weeds, an uncut lawn and chipped paint. Hernandez said his arrest and tickets came in response to a falling out he had with city code enforcement director Don Garcia.

"Here is a corrupt town that wants to play games because they think I'm one of those immigrants that doesn't have an idea of how to sue or fight for their rights," he said. "I'm a city person. I'm from Chicago and I'm going to fight this." Hernandez claimed a city official contacted his attorney after the hearing and threatened to issue more tickets on the house.

"It was at the point where I was willing to let things go, but now they're talking about giving me citations and harassing me," Hernandez said, adding he plans to sue the city. "I tried to be peaceful and move out of the house but they wanted to have me arrested and make my life hard and stressful."

Somer brushed aside criticism that city officials were out to get Hernandez. "I don't know where these allegations of retaliation came from," Somer said. "People like Sam down here. They offered him a full-time position. His circumstances are certainly unfortunate."

Hernandez denied he was ever offered a full-time position working for the city. Somer said he hoped to negotiate with Hernandez and settle the tickets issued against him.

Garcia did not respond to multiple calls for comment on this story.