Kendall County investigating rape by imposter officer
By Matt Hanley mhanley@stmedianetwork.com August 8, 2012 11:10AM
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Updated: September 10, 2012 1:34PM
The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an attack by a man pretending to be a police officer.
At 6:47 p.m. Tuesday, the sheriff’s office was called to Griswold Springs Road, about one-quarter mile west of Little Rock Road, near Plano. A 33-year-old Sandwich woman told police she was driving on Griswold Springs when she noticed a blue Ford Crown Victoria — a model similar to many police cars — following her, the sheriff’s office said. There was a red-and-blue emergency light flashing on the front of the car, police said.
When the woman stopped her car, a man from the Crown Victoria approached her. Police said the man was wearing a police, fire or security-type uniform and he was the only person in the car.
After the man walked up to the woman’s vehicle, he put a mask over his face and pointed a gun at her, police said. The man ordered the woman to get out of her car and walk to a nearby cornfield, police said.
Once she was in the cornfield, the woman was raped, police said.
After the assault, the suspect fled east on Griswold Springs Road. The victim was taken to Valley West Hospital in Sandwich, where she was treated and released, police said.
Police describe the suspect as a white man with tan skin or a light-skinned Hispanic male. He is about 5-foot-8, 180 pounds with an average build. Police believe he was wearing a blue uniform.
Anyone with information is asked to call Kendall County investigators at 630-553-7500, extension 1107. Anyone who wants to provide anonymous information and be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 should call CrimeStoppers at 630-553-5999.
The sheriff’s office said if drivers being pulled over by unmarked police cars believe the stop may not legitimate, they should proceed to a public or lighted area. Police said drivers should not speed or disregard stop signs or stop lights.
The driver can call 911 to confirm that the stop is legitimate. If the driver calls 911, they should provide the dispatcher with their location and a general description of the car.
If the stop is being made by a local officer, the dispatcher will be able to quickly confirm the stop is real. If the stop is being made by a federal or state officer, it may take a bit longer, but a local officer will likely be dispatched to the scene. Once the driver has stopped, they should be ready to explain to officers why they did not pull over immediately.
Kendall County Detective Joe Jasnosz said he is not aware of any other reports of similar attacks or stops by imposter officers.
“Right now, this is an isolated incident,” he said.
