Court to Kid "Cop:" The Jig Is Up
Lexus-stealing, cop-impersonating teen gets probation, home confinement
By STNG WIRE and BJ LUTZ
Updated 11:18 AM PST, Tue, Jul 28, 2009
The teen who apparently has a knack for making people believe he's older than he really is was sentenced Thursday morning to three years of probation and one month of home confinement.
"I’m going to give you a chance, and I emphasize the word, 'a.' I’m giving you one chance," Cook County Juvenile Court Judge Andrew Berman told the 15-year-old.
He was 14 when he went to a Grand Crossing District police station in January, dressed in regulation uniform, and fooled real officers into believing he was one of their own. Investigators said the boy went on patrol with officers for five hours and assisted in an arrest.
He spent more than a month in jail for that caper, but four months later -- while wearing an electronic monitoring device for the police impersonation -- was back in the news for stealing a 1990 black Lexus after persuading a dealer at the South Side lot to let him test drive.
Berman said the boy had a habit of manipulating situations.
"You can control your behavior if you want to," the judge said. "It’s in your hands."
The boy was also ordered to attend the Evening Reporting program in conjunction with his home confinement, Cook County State’s Attorney’s office spokesman Andy Conklin said.
He must also participate in a mentoring program and was ordered to work with the Sheriff’s Work Alternative Program program for 10 days, Conklin said.
Berman also warned the boy's mother that she faces criminal contempt charges if she doesn't cooperate with the home therapy.
Copyright SunTimes / NBC Bay Area
First Published: Jul 16, 2009 5:56 PM PST
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