November 15, 2010 Armed men charged with pretending to be police www.privateofficer.com
Chicago IL Nov 15 2010 – William Woolridge and Johnny Johnson are friends with something in common: they were both arrested this weekend after cops said they were caught pretending to be law enforcement officers.
Johnson, 21, was charged early Friday with felony false impersonation of a peace officer, unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful use of body armor, having a firearm without a valid FOID card and he was cited with a city weapon violation, police said.
Woolridge, 33, was charged early Friday with felony false impersonation of a peace officer, police said.
Police News Affairs Officer Daniel O’Brien said the two men knew each other and are acquaintances.
Woolridge was arrested early Friday at the Austin District police station at 5701 W. Madison St. after identifying himself as a U.S. Army Reservist military policeman, according to a police report. Police were already investigating Johnson when they discovered Woolridge.
During an interview, Woolridge presented a shield with U.S. Army military police engraving and was wearing a bulletproof vest, gun holster, magazine holster and handcuffs, according to the report. He did not have military identification because he said he “left it at home,” the report said.
He then told police he lied, and allegedly said he was never in the military but “wished he was,” the report said.
A 9 mm Beretta handgun was recovered in Woolridge’s vehicle, police said. Two magazines and 20 rounds of live ammunition were also recovered.
Meanwhile, police arrested Johnson at 330 N. Central Ave. at 7:26 p.m. Thursday after he flagged down officers to ask a question about public service, the report said.
Johnson was wearing a black vest and body armor with the word “police” on it.
He also had a semi automatic handgun in a holster with an extra magazine of ammunition. Officers asked him if was a police officer and he replied, “Yes, I am a Steger rookie police officer,” the report said.
Johnson was placed into custody without incident when he could not produce police identification or a star. The handgun and ammunition were taken into evidence, according to the report.
Both arrests are being classified as the same incident and are related, O’Brien said.
Woolridge was booked into Cook County Jail Friday after being ordered held on $90,000 bond, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s website.
Johnson was ordered held on $75,000 bond during a Friday hearing, according to the website.
Johnson and Woolridge are both expected to appear for preliminary hearings Nov. 18, according to the website.
Grand Central Area detectives are investigating.
Source:Chicago Sun
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