Illinois Police Officer Arrested for Theft of $12,000 from Drug Overdose Victim’s Home
NORMAL, ILLINOIS – An Illinois police officer who’s a veteran on the force was arrested after being suspected of stealing $12,000 from a drug overdose victim’s home.
Normal Police Department officer Brian Williams is facing official misconduct and possessing stolen property charges after a wellness check call was conducted on November 25.
Officers responded to a 911 call involving a possible overdose at a home in Normal, Illinois, Mr Williams was one of the officers on the scene. The overdose victim was deemed dead later that day at the residence.
One of the victim’s relatives later informed the police department that $12,000 was missing from inside the home that was kept in a certain location after officers were there.
The case was handed over by the department to the Illinois State Police for investigation.
A couple of days after the victim’s relative made the police call about the missing $12,000, she claims she received a phone call anonymously that urged her to “stop speaking with the police in order to have the money returned,” according to a report by week.com.
The relative received a second phone call that told her to meet up with the suspected thief at a Pontiac city gas station, so the stolen money could be returned to her.
The woman was accompanied to the gas station by Illinois State Police troopers. When they arrived, troopers saw a male entering and exiting his vehicle in a suspicious way, court documents obtained by week.com reveal.
A bag with the missing money inside was placed near a phone booth by the suspect. Troopers approached the suspect who identified himself as Mr Williams and that he was a Normal police officer.
Mr. Williams has been employed by the Normal Police Department for 18 years and was given administrative leave until the internal investigation is concluded.
Chief Rick Bleichner with the Normal Police gave a statement and said, “The Normal Police Department holds the public’s trust in the highest regard and will work diligently to complete a thorough and effective investigation.”
“The Department urges everyone to not rush to judgment and to allow time for the process to run its course and come to a factual conclusion before making any judgments,” Bleichner continued.
“As this involves both a criminal and a personnel matter, there is no further information that will be released at this time,” he added.
Chief Bleichner concluded his statement by saying, “The officers, staff, and Administration of the Normal Police Department are committed to our mission to uphold the law and ensure a safe community for all.”
“We will address this issue as expeditiously as possible while ensuring all policies and procedures are followed, in order to best serve our citizens and safeguard the public’s confidence.”
