Joseph McKenzie mug shot. View larger Google Street Map of area of first offense reported near Oakton/Waterman & Rand Rd.
Arlington Heights police arrested Joseph McKenzie of Des Plaines after he was identified in connection with incidents where victims reported they were pulled over by a black/male who represented himself as a police officer. After the first incident that had occurred about 2:00 a.m. Sunday, an Arlington Heights police officer recognized the matched description of a black Jeep Grand Cherokee and occupant the following night at a Speedway gas station at Arlington Heights Road and Palatine Road. At about 11:50 p.m. Sunday, the report of a second incident ‘in progress’ came in the same time frame as the recognition at Speedway and the officer left the gas station to respond to the area of the second call. The police soon realized that the car at the gas station could have made it to the gas station from the scene of the second incident near Hintz and Buffalo Grove Road. Police obtained security video from the gas station and were able to identify McKenzie of the 1500 block of East Thacker in Des Plaines. Police discovered a flashlight with a blue lens during questioning of McKenzie.
Since neither victim actually heard McKenzie say he was a police officer, police impersonation charges were not filed. McKenzie and a juvenile in the car were charged with disorderly conduct for throwing the bottle at the victim in the second incident.
See also …
The Cardinal Incidents of Impersonating a Police Officer Reported: 2 in Arlington Heights, 1 in Buffalo Grove