Cop Jumps From Car's Path As Alleged Dine-and-Dashers Flee Hooters

Two women nabbed for running out of Hooters without paying their bill almost ran over an off-duty cop in their haste to leave the parking lot, reports said.

Police were called to assist an off-duty Oak Lawn detective who was working security at Hooters at 9139 S. Cicero Ave. around 10:17 a.m. Feb. 16.

According to the report, the hostess told the detective that two customers had just left the restaurant without paying their bill. The customers -- two women -- had already made it to their car and were backing out of the parking lot when they were approached by the detective.

Police said the detective working security knocked on the car window, but the driver, later identified as Kiara Jenkins, 23, of Chicago, ignored his commands to stop.

While backing out, Jenkins’ allegedly hit a parked BMW before pulling forward. Police said the off-duty detective stood in the fleeing car’s path as it circled the lot, ordering Jenkins to stop.

Fearing for his safety, the off-duty detective jumped out of the way at the last second as Jenkins fled across Cicero Avenue heading westbound on 91st Street, reports said.

Police said the detective was able to see Jenkins’ vehicle turn on to Sproat and radio a description of the car to dispatch.

Another officer was in the area travelling northbound on Sproat when he spotted Jenkins’ vehicle parked at the side of the street with its lights turned off, reports said.

When the officer approached the car, police said that Jenkins and her dining companion, Sydney S. Campbell, 22, of Iowa City, IA, were crouched down in the front seat.

Jenkins and Campbell admitted they had been at Hooters and decided to walk out without paying because “the waitress was taking forever,” police said.

The detective went to the scene where he positively identified both women, reports said.

Police said the women pleaded to pay their bill, claiming they had the cash on them and repeating the only reason they had left was because their server was “just taking too long.”

Both women were taken into custody and brought to the Oak Lawn police station.

There, Jenkins allegedly denied hitting the BMW. The BMW owner didn’t think there was any damage and declined filing an accident report, police said.

Both women were charged with theft under $500. The off-duty detective signed a complaint charging Jenkins with aggravated assault.

Jenkins was cited by the village for using a vehicle for illegal activities. Both women were given a March 4 court date in Bridgeview.

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