Off-duty cop arrested after a brief standoff
By Brian Stanley bstanley@stmedianetwork.com March 13, 2013 8:40PM
Maps
Updated: April 16, 2013 3:49PM
CHANNAHON — An off-duty Oswego cop reportedly refused to identify himself or comply with police Wednesday after he began arguing with a pizza restaurant employee who could see a gun in his waistband.
Chief Jeff Wold said the confrontation began around 5:30 p.m. when John P. Wolfinbarger, 43, tried to walk into the back office at Chicago Pizza, 25520 S. Pheasant Lane.
“He was very upset when he was told customers weren’t allowed in the office and began yelling,” Wold said. “During the confrontation the employee could see he was carrying a handgun in his waistband.”
Wolfinbarger reportedly went out to the parking lot and got into a black Chevrolet pickup truck while staff called 911 and brought uniformed officers to the scene.
“Because of the report of the gun, they had their own weapons out and ordered him to get out of the vehicle. He would not get out or identify himself,” Wold said.
During the 15-minute standoff, Wolfinbarger spoke on his cell phone and did throw his wallet out the pickup window saying if the officers wanted to know who he was they should come get the wallet, according to Wold.
“At no point did he identify himself as a police officer,” Wold noted.
But Wolfinbarger did eventually agree to step out of the vehicle and surrendered a loaded Glock handgun as he was taken into custody.
Channahon police then learned the Yorkville resident is an Oswego officer, Wold said.
Wolfinbarger was arrested on charges of obstructing a police officer, disorderly conduct and driving under the influence of alcohol.
