By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – A Normal Police officer is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from a home where a person died last week from an apparent drug overdose.
The McLean County State’s Attorney’s office charged Brian Williams, 46, with two counts of theft and two counts of official misconduct, all felonies.
In a probable cause statement to the judge, prosecutors said Williams was one of the officers responding last Monday to the home where a relative of the overdose victim reported about $12,000 was missing.
In the court document, prosecutors allege the family member received three calls without a caller ID the day before Thanksgiving. On Thanksgiving Day, the woman said she answered the call, and was told she had to quit speaking with the police to get the money back.
While Illinois State Police interviewed her, she reportedly received another call from the same person, and they arranged a meeting at a Pontiac gas station.
It’s there that troopers, working undercover, allegedly saw Williams placing a money bag in the phone booth, and arrested the officer.
Williams was released from jail on a $30,000 personal recognizance bond. His first appearance in McLean County Court is scheduled for December 20.
In a statement, Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner said Williams is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation, which is separate from the criminal probe. He’s been on the force for 18 years.
“The Normal Police Department holds the public’s trust in the highest regard and will work diligently to complete a thorough and effective investigation,” Bleichner said.
“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,” the chief said.
“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,” Chief Bleichner said.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
