Crime & Safety
Fake Cop Arrested On Gun, Impersonation Charges: Prosecutor
Man told Oak Lawn police that he was a retired Cook County Sheriff's deputy after a Glock was found in his car, prosecutor said.
OAK LAWN, IL — An Oak Lawn man was arrested after he tried to pass himself as a retired Cook County Sheriff's deputy when he was pulled over for drunk driving, reports said. Thomas Robles, 51, faces felony charges of impersonating a police officer, possession of stolen property, possession of a stolen handgun and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon. Robles is also charged with driving under the influence.
Shortly after midnight on Aug. 30, an Oak Lawn police officer was checking on businesses near Southwest Highway and 54th Court. The officer followed a black Corvette he had seen swerving over the center line. The Corvette quickly accelerated, clocking 47 mph in a 30 mph zone westbound on Southwest Highway, reports said.
Police pulled the car over at 54th Court. The officer asked the driver, later identified as Robles, to step out of the car. According to the officer, Robles' eyes were glassy and red, and his speech was slurred. Robles allegedly told officers that he didn't have a weapon in his car and was a cop.
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While searching Robles' car, the officer said he found a Glock handgun half hidden under the front seat. Robles told officers that he was a medically-retired Cook County Sheriff’s deputy after he got his by a Pace bus, reports said. Police said Robles could not produce any current or retired officer ID.
When officers ran the Glock's serial number, they discovered that the gun had been reported stolen in Oak Lawn. Robles was arrested and brought to the police station. Police called Robles' wife, who said the couple was about to finalize their divorce, She told police that she had reported the gun stolen last November, and had not given Robles permission to use the gun.
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Police said they could not find Robles' name in the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. The Cook County Sheriff’s Department also confirmed it had no record of Robles working there, reports said.
Robles is currently out on a $15,000 bond. He is due back in court Sept. 27 in Bridgeview.
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