Crime & Safety
Ex-Cop Tried to Fool Officer During Seatbelt Violation Stop
A 49-year-old Tinley Park man and suspended, part-time police officer was stopped for not wearing a seatbelt on Aug. 27, police said. Cops confiscated his badge and police ID.
A part-time police officer who was suspended from his department claimed he was still a cop during a Tinley Park traffic stop, police said.
The 49-year-old Tinley Park man was stopped at about 10:50 a.m. on Aug. 27 after a cop noticed he wasn't wearing a seatbelt, police. During a conversation with police, the driver said he was a Phoenix, IL, police officer. The man was unable to show proof that he was officer so Tinley Park police decided to check out his story.
A call with the Phoenix police chief confirmed that the driver, who had been a part-time officer, was suspended more than a year ago and never returned to work, police said.
The driver consented to a search of his vehicle, which turned up a Phoenix police badge and an expired police ID in a bag in the passenger seat, police said. He told police he wasn't thinking straight and didn't know why he lied.
Tinley Park police cited the driver for not wearing a seatbelt and took the badge and identification before releasing the driver.
Phoenix's police chief said he didn't want to pursue a criminal complaint and just wanted the badge returned.
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