‘Trick’ 911 calls no treat for Naperville cops; 2 arrested

NAPERVILLE, IL — How do you thank the neighbors who were nice enough to invite you to their Halloween party, even if they did ask you to leave after you’d apparently had a little too much to drink?

If you’re Harry J. Kobetitsch, you allegedly make three phony 911 calls in rapid succession, and tell Naperville police you think someone at the party has been murdered.

Kobetitsch and another Naperville resident, Jon M. Kieta, were arrested in separate incidents over a 24-hour period and charged with placing bogus 911 calls to police. Kieta allegedly made nine such calls in 90 minutes, after his clothes were reportedly stolen from the hotel in which he lives.

Police were called about 12:57 a.m. Sunday to a home on the 2400 block of Haider Avenue, where a Halloween party was winding down, police Sgt. John Westlove said. The home is in the Clow Creek area of Naperville’s far southwest side.

Kobetitsch, 52, lives on the 4300 block of Pradel Drive, around the corner from the Haider Avenue address. Westlove said a 911 caller, later identified as Kobetitsch, allegedly told police about “a possible murder” at the home of the party hosts, Westlove said.

While officers were en route, “they received two additional (911) calls reporting a fight and a possible murder” at the Haider Avenue home, Westlove said.

The officers arrived at the scene and learned “there was an adult Halloween party going on, and one of the neighbors had been asked to leave” just before police arrived, Westlove said.

Police then went to Kobetitsch’s home “and determined he was intoxicated,” Westlove said. Kobetitsch quickly “admitted to making the phone calls because he was angry at the homeowners for kicking him out of the party,” Westlove said.

In the case involving Kieta, police were called about 12:20 a.m. Saturday to the Stardust Hotel, at 890 E. Ogden Ave. on the city’s northeast side.

A 911 caller, later identified as Kieta, told police the clothing he had been cleaning in the hotel’s laundry area had been stolen, Westlove said. An officer took a report of the theft and then left the hotel, he said.

Kieta, 52, allegedly called 911 a few minutes later, asking the officer to return and give him some money so that he could buy shoes to replace the ones that had been stolen, Westlove said. Police denied that request.

Westlove said Kieta then called 911 five times in succession, asking police to give him a ride to a store so that he might buy new shoes. The officer returned to the hotel and warned Kieta not to call 911 again unless it was an emergency, he said.

Kieta allegedly called 911 two more times, asking both times about the progress of the theft investigation, Westlove said. That made a total of nine 911 calls in just over 90 minutes. Westlove added Kieta appeared to be intoxicated throughout the incident.

Westlove said Kieta faces trial on a felony charge of disorderly conduct, while Kobetitsch is charged with making a false report to a public safety agency, a misdemeanor.

Both men are free on bond. Their arraignment dates are pending.

Read the story here.

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