Driver Pulled Over for Drinking Beer In Car Nabbed for Crack: COPS

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- Evergreen Park police arrested a man after they found a crack rock and pipe in his vehicle when he was observed driving with an open alcoholic beverage, prosecutors said. Robert Wheatly, 63, appeared before Cook County Judge Peter Felice on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

According to the charges, Evergreen Park police officers stopped Wheatley on Aug. 14 when they noticed him drinking in his car. Wheatly explained he had just left a friend’s house and was finishing his beer. Officers noted there were several empty beer bottles in his car. Police searched Wheatly’s car where officers a glass pipe with burnt residue and a crack rock weighing .2 grams.

“Do you want to die of a heart attack,” Judge Felice asked. “I’m not saying you’re guilty, but your body can’t take it anymore.”

The assistant public defender told the judge that Wheatly is the father of 12 children. The prosecutor said Wheatly has four prior felony convictions.

The judge gave Wheatly a $25,000 I-bond. Wheatly is due back in court Sept. 6 in Bridgeview.