'It’s the police being bullies': Lawsuit filed over false arrest of Purple Heart recipient in Bellwo

[@rikarddesilva3226]

A 7 hour detainment is not a detainment, it is an arrest. Without Probable cause, it is unconstitutional. If they thought they had enough for an arrest, they should have gotten a warrant. Keeping the phone for 2 months without a warrant? Unconstitutional.

[@ianbattles7290]

If cops don't need to be personally accountable for violating the law, then nobody needs to be personally accountable for violating the law.

[@waaynneb1808]

No, EVERYBODY needs to be held accountable. the OTHER problem is that there are SO MANY UN-CONSTITUTIONAL laws as well as completely un-necessary laws, regulations, ordinances, and policies

[@hook-x6f]

Yeah no doubt right now we have a US presidential candidate who wants total immunity while in office. How do you think that will work out? Me too. Go vote.

[@harrysmusicroom]

​@@hook-x6fif you're innocent why do you need immunity?

[@arickhoops]

This is why you can’t trust any police officer ever.

[@breachcreaper]

not the officer, don't trust the government . As a Vet , I learned that early in my career

[@donnyseputis6288]

@@breachcreaper Can't trust or believe any public servants whatsoever, cops(pigs) do the dirty work for the politicians and other public servants.

[@Solo-_-..]

Never help 👮🏻 either

[@KlLLERROBOT99]

@@breachcreaperYep, I learned that once you get injured to a point where you aren't useful to them they stop caring about you. Refusing to pay for the costs that came with my injury after being discharged was such a nightmare back then. I remember a letter saying that because I didn't need to walk because I hadn't found a job yet they didn't see a need to help pay for a prosthetic....yeah fuck them

[@IggnantOG]

Cops need to be held accountable for their actions.

[@joeltorres1741]

Another example of why qualified immunity should be abolished.

[@sketch6995]

We did exactly that 2 years ago in Colorado.........as anyone can plainly see, it wasn't a magic pill. We have more dirty cops than ever.

[@SergeiFedorov77]

@@sketch6995 Maybe so, but it should still be abolished.

[@gaynebrotherslogistics2516]

They never even charged him with anything. Animals

[@darlenedowie2926]

Never go to Police Department without any law representative.

[@kevinphillips150]

Always record law enforcement officials! Regardless of where you are.

[@KazooieX1]

They'll, just arrest your lawyer too. Cops don't care they only care bout ruining your life

[@hook-x6f]

Or a brain in your head. I have been arrested 25 times or more and been involved in dozens of police incidents and I have talked my way out of a lot of trouble. Had I not cleared things up verbally they would have arrested me. I will tell you that a lot of cops are really cool. Both on the inside and on the outside.

[@giomunoz5252]

How is it legal to detain suspects under a false pretense??? Thats the main issue in this.

[@bobroberts2371]

They didn't detain under false pretense, the pretense was the car damage in order to get him to go to the police station after that the detainment was to investigate some unspecified crime. This tactic has been done in other areas to get fugitives into custody ( by using a sports ticket give away and such )

[@cohawken9887]

@@bobroberts2371 ya thats called entrapment. They lied. His car was never involved in an accident which is what he was trying to get cleared up.

[@bobroberts2371]

@@cohawken9887 You need to look up the definition of entrapment. From the net " Entrapment may result from the use of threats, intimidation, extended fraud, or any other means where the defendant was essentially forced to commit a crime. " So tell me, what crime was he forced to commit by coming to the police station?

[@cohawken9887]

@@bobroberts2371 i can selectively choose 1 of the multiple definitions of the word to prove my point too i guess.... en·trap·ment /inˈtrapmənt,enˈtrapmənt/ noun the state of being caught in or as in a trap.

[@bobroberts2371]

@@cohawken9887 What legal source did you pull this from?

[@douglasanderson5516]

Shame on them. I hope they lose this case and have to pay a hefty hefty sum.

[@mase7557]

‘They’ won’t be paying a single penny. The taxpayers of Bellwood will be paying the judgement.

[@wdfkTV1870]

Like you, I hope the settlement is an appropriately Hefty sum. Unfortunately the settlements are paid for by insurance policies and or community tax dollars. To hold the village and its employees accountable and to be fair and just to the tax paying citizens as well as the victim of nefarious behaviors, qualified immunity and civil asset forfeiture needs to be abolished. Let's make these occupations like every other occupation, if are inept and not performing at an above average level you are assisted to the front door to find another job that you would be more suitable to perform.

[@geoh7777]

@@wdfkTV1870 Insurance companies are in business to make money. They collect premiums from all policy holders and the policy holders pay, on average, all of the insurance claims amounts plus a hefty profit. Insurance companies are the largest property owners in the nation.

[@kapekodbob]

Thank you for your service Marine .

[@alexh8613]

"Middleton said when he arrived at the Bellwood Police station, instead of photographing his car, Det. Hernandez detained him for over seven hours and refused to explain the detention unless Middleton signed a document waiving his Miranda rights, which Middleton refused to do."

[@joekev27]

You go and fight for this country and this is how the government repays you.

[@bobroberts2371]

So are you saying that the police detained him because they knew he was a vet?

[@bobroberts2371]

@Grammar Police And what lead up to this alleged attack? Are you sawing they drove down the street and randomly grabbed you?

[@ediswiththememes7988]

@@bobroberts2371 so is it ok for someone to beat up a police officer if they’re doing something illegal?

[@bobroberts2371]

@Grammar Police I posted the below 2 days ago, apparently you don't read before you post so I'll post again " And what lead up to this alleged attack? Are you saying they drove down the street and randomly grabbed you? "

[@joekev27]

​@@bobroberts2371 no but since when in America can the government detain you and demand you prove your innocence. This man had no obligation to cooperate with police. If it was up to people like you we would be living in Nazi Germany where the SS officers can stop anyone they want to see if they are a jew I mean criminal.

[@tracyeaves1084]

The detective needs to be fired and arrested immediately for false information and imprisonment for no crime

[@petertraveller6421]

When police ask him to come in and talk about this fake accident, he should have got a lawyer, give him a paper where he sign the lawyer rights to take care any legal matter for him. Would like to see officers faces when only lawyer come with legal documents, not the guy they were looking for.

[@peterpauwels4610]

And I suppose you are offering to pay the attorney fees.

[@erikanders3343]

better yet send your lawyer instead of you. If there is no actual issue the lawyer can not be arrested. Never talk to the police.

[@erikanders3343]

@@peterpauwels4610 legal fees are cheaper than being held in jail and losing your job because of bully cops.

[@grahamlowe314]

He could have sent a representative on his behalf

[@j-rschmoove]

Loss of liberty itself is wrong and absolutely a lawsuit.

[@ericgroves300]

Never walk into ANY law enforcement facility, federal or state, at their behest without an attorney. Trust no one who can legally lie to you.

[@barbarawright5774]

Poor man. Disgusting, dishonest cops. Sorry it happened to you.

[@tomc.4860]

God bless this Brave American hero. I hate to see him abused by these criminals with badges and guns. I hope, with his training and experience, that he does not decide to go rambo.

[@malahammer]

But not a hero in the eyes those he was sent to kill.

[@jjpower6769]

How is this serving and protecting?

[@stevesmith9151]

I strongly support him getting a few buddies together and kinetically resolving the issue with these jackbooted thugs in uniform.

[@marlongainey2845]

5 combat tours is CRAZY 1 is crazy enough but 5!!!! They should be on they’re knees asking for forgiveness. SEMPER FI brother ✊🏽✊🏽

[@FloridaMugwump]

Combat tours? Those two wars were each over in WEEKS. You mean an occupation tour. Then they all cried like babies til we brought them home. Wow, great job wasting all our tax money, riding the gravy train.

[@e.b.4506]

I know the media puts a spotlight on these types of police abuse, rights violations, etc. But, there are too many of them. Police training needs to be lengthened. They need more legal advisors. They need qualified immunity removed for crimes and blatant rights abuses.

[@dpjmj]

You can't "train" away psychopathic and racist behaviour ..

[@collinhicks6616]

No amount of training is going to fix stupid corrupt behavior and narcissistic behavior.

[@cobracommander9138]

The cops know it's wrong but when you are not held accountable for your actions why not lie in order to bring someone in and then violate their rights. There is no incentive for the police not to kidnap you and steal your property and put you in a cage.

[@RobKAdventures]

Another perfect example of why qualified immunity against law enforcement needs to be abolished. How is this even legal? If a citizen lied to law enforcement they would be arrested and charged with a crime so why can the gestapo do it without punishment and with immunity. Appalling.

[@erikanders3343]

It was the supreme court that ok'ed this and terry stops.

[@eligreg99]

Even a vet you treat like a malicious criminal

[@MostlyHarmless86]

While actual criminals are allowed to run free.

[@robbieminear3116]

sheriff department called me yesterday for donation Last year I gave my son $15000 to go buy his dream truck and the cops took it and said it was drug money. They gave me half back Is corruption to the core

[@qcoldgame5]

They had his phone for 2 months! we got to be careful on these devices

[@mrg7304]

Always have a password. They can't use any tools or software to break into the phone unless they have a specific search warrant.

[@erikanders3343]

@@mrg7304 more that they can't use what they found on the phone unless they get a search warrant. it never stops them searching it and then trying to backdoor into a justification. cops are legally allowed to lie, they also do it all the time to judges and the judges let them get away with it.

[@thomashollinger1418]

I hope he wins big! I feel his frustration and trust issues.

[@jim4448]

Arrest all each cops.. And then put Them up for a bond hearing... After that go for a jury trial with a judge.

[@charlesparks7296]

I'm not surprised you have not heard back from the department!

[@jeffschroeder4805]

How many similar instances happen that don't involve someone with the credibility conferred by his service to his country. Why do police begin their investigations after deciding who they want to put in cuffs?

[@kennethjdaggett6075]

You will not hear back.This man should sue and nail all of these dummys involved.

[@will_dikfit2975]

Ok the cops need to start using common sense, they bring a retired purple heart marine and tread him like a criminal😡😡😡this sir is a hero, they just don't hand out purple hearts to anybody but heros. We salute you and thank you for your service sir UURRRAAAA

[@zang9147]

Do you think a lot of police target veterans because they might be jealous of their proven bravery?

[@marcusanderson-yeager6740]

Wow, well glad you have filed a Federal Lawsuit, the sad part is the taxpayers will foot the bill, and that corrupt officer will retire with full benefits.

[@erikanders3343]

perhaps if those same tax payers would vote for some accountability they would end up paying less in taxes. Seems like the easiest tax cut to give yourself

[@mtw1234]

NEVER TALK TO POLICE!!! THEY ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND!

[@JASONBROWN-bt9dz]

This does not surprise me at all.

[@garryquiggins8183]

Good luck winning your case. I hope you have a good attorney, seldom do laws apply to cops. Don't take settlement offers. An offer means the city has been advised they cannot win in court. Also, their offers don't get serious until the 3rd one.

[@tdlaurie]

Bellwood approved a settlement of $130,000 with Chicago resident Gregory Middleton. Middleton and lawyer are asking for apology but probably won't get one. Nothing said about discipline action of detective. Mayor says Bellwood always does the right thing but her certainly got it wrong in this case.

[@erikanders3343]

Edit Bellwood police gave their victim $130,000 of the citizens of Bellwood money to make up for their lack of accountability and ethics.

[@ClarityDetermination]

This amount is terribly low for the mental turmoil the police unleashed in him once more. I wish his lawyer had held out.

[@jamesbroomfield7799]

Did they have a warrant to take his phone? Thats my question

[@henryc1000]

Cha CHING!! Dude is going to make some bank on this and rightly so!!

[@baileybutterfly320]

Yes! I hope he gets PAIDDDDD!!!!

[@bwtv147]

Make a complaint to the U.S. attorney.The cops responsible have earned prison time. I know this isn’t the kind of crime that interests Merrick Garland but give it a try.

[@hoodhealthywithhuff8815]

I'm from.bellwod and they corrupt

[@erikanders3343]

well you have the power to vote for change, make use of it because all this abuse is costing you in taxes.

[@sailguy2010]

The lesson here is never talk to the police. Should have had an attorney contact them.

[@johnnytaylor4676]

Did I just hear it’s legal to bring in suspects under false pretense?

[@mtw1234]

GREAT JOB MAYOR, CITIZEN NEEDS YOUR HELP AND YOU PASS THE BUCK! @$$!!!

[@Piropaukena]

Just sue them, they don’t give a flying @#!$. Expose them in court.

[@baileybutterfly320]

Horrible!!!!

[@yamamabum5665]

🙏 for you I hope you win

[@geronimo563]

Semper fi. You just encountered the psychopaths in costumes. Put up their names and your band of brothers will take care of it.

[@jeremyaltom1303]

What, the police being bullies? Unheard of! 🙄

[@bethcurtin4201]

Wow So glad he's following up on this. Dumb suburb needs to be taken down n figure out how to get into the 21st century. You can't strut around doin this shit anymore

[@casperimprovedintransition8002]

I hope he is well compensated for their (LEOs) egregious actions.

[@ronspeth7095]

Sue the town council directly for failure to properly train cops

[@terrytimberlake8926]

Hold up.. how can a lie be right and accepted by the police,

[@thewatcher9804]

Five combat tours.

[@jameschanin876]

I grew up in Bellwood they had a great police department back in the day. Only had 3 cops that were POS,

[@shaystern2453]

1 POS is too many

[@ned6938]

If they let the 3 POS copsvstay on the force then they are a horrible, crooked, tyrannical police department just like all the rest.

[@erikanders3343]

one of those POS likely got promoted to head the department

[@leonardfrey5426]

Hope we learn of the lawsuit.

[@markbassig1974]

Cops continue to dork up.

[@ThomasNux]

Dear Mayor of Bellwood, there is a reason we have elected officials, and it's because we expect them to control unelected officials. Man up and do your job, FIRE THAT DETECTIVE!

[@Historybluff1986]

How can the public ever trust what they say when they do this sort of thing

[@terrilamontagne6603]

RIGHT ON

[@klausschraud7303]

In police eyes your always guilty until you prove yourself innocent lawsuit and I hope he gets a good settlement

[@MuzixMaker]

Never go to the police station without a lawyer.

[@califdad4]

Scary

[@Sondan1988]

Are you saying these 'Highly Trained Professionals' lied, broke the law, and robbed this man of his property ? SAY IT ISN'T SO !!!

[@mikemactavish1665]

False Pretense? What other kind of pretense is there?

[@alanlaplant7212]

What was the outcome of this

[@erikanders3343]

Don't talk to the cops, have your lawyer go talk to the cops.

[@johnlundgren5085]

That's exactly why the State of Illinois has the problems they have, and when this lawsuit is over and he gets what ever he should get. And that's another reason why I live in Michigan I'm sorry but there is no amount of money you could pay me to live there

[@reneeherr4145]

You got to be kidding me this poor man I hope he filed a Lawsuit against them this is just wrong and thank you for your service Mr

[@LuckyLu19]

Yea the dirty, beat and arrested my bro for no reason

[@9L252AL]

Everything this man has done for our country; now this? Welcome back to America!

[@kevinscott4081]

Guilty until proven innocent.

[@tooge47]

Hey, WGN ! Why not ask about MY false arrest / 5 day imprisonment ?

[@alfx5432]

WGN Will say anything to make someone look bad. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty in this country.

[@johnlundgren5085]

Multi million dollar LAWSUIT against all these officers for STUPIDITY

[@stupidplumbing2343]

Cop logic 101: Since the courts ruled we can lie, we never tell the truth.

[@Dailydoseoff]

America!!! Ohhh God we ALLLL love America 🤣🤣

[@fw1421]

I hope he wins his case. Police get away with way too much. This detective should be fired.

[@mikep1085]

Are these more of those 'good cops' that we keep hearing about?

[@joehunter6413]

Golly, a pig lied?? Who knew that would happen???😖😖😖😖😖😖 And they wonder why people have a serious disdain and hatred of them.😮😮😮

[@readallthetime]

PI… there should be standards for arresting someone like a criminal and causing harm to a person mentally and financially, and tarnishing their background check. How does the officer prove that you were a danger to yourself or others? What is documented? Just their word? What is the standard for the department to identify probable cause, proof of a public place, and intoxication; impairment, and a danger to self or others? Why is there a misdemeanor charge and you have to choose no contest/guilty or guilty and it’s not dismissed like a ticket, when you can prove that it was a false arrest, and your career and background check is affected forever! Forever, by an arrest that never should’ve happened, because of an “attitude arrest” or because an officer wanted to prevent a “future crime,” that has not occurred, and they are just predicting that it may occur later. There is no minimum or threshold for a blood alcohol level for public intoxication. There is no test given except maybe a standard field sobriety test, which may or may not conclude intoxication…and there is definitely not enough training regarding disabilities, where people have a known disability, and cannot pass a field sobriety test, due to a traumatic brain injury, vertigo, or some other medical condition. A PI is at the officer’s discretion, and a breathalyzer and blood test is not given, even if you ask for it. Every other offense in the penal code requires proof of something, but PI is a catchall for an officer to arrest you with no burden of proof, and no evidence necessary. The police are allowed to commit actions that needlessly cost money and time to citizens. The smell of alcohol on a person’s breath is an inadequate criterion for arrest. There needs to be specific policies and procedures to standardize PI arrests! It is a violation of Civil Rights…including not showing probable cause… and violating the 4th and 14th amendment. It is abusive! It causes direct harm to those arrested! It violates constitutional rights at the core of our democracy! It alienates people, and it makes policing less effective. Many times officers use it as a preemptive measure, when no crime has occurred and peoples’ livelihoods are affected…because they are suspected of possibly committing a future crime! When they actually did not do anything criminal! It is an attitude arrest! It is a fabricated arrest! With no burden of proof, no crime, but you do time! Make this viral!

[@ClarityDetermination]

Are you going to send in a FOIA request for all prior and present information on this problem at the police department? This is terrible and obviously the police will not apologize or help this gentleman have some peace. Police in the US are alligators.

[@Imachowderhead]

He was awarded 130k.

[@shashipancholi]

They kept his phone for 2 MONTHS ?!?

[@razbit]

they'll understand....... BIG LAWSUIT

[@malahammer]

This is what is done in Russia, North Korea, Turkey, Belarus, Saudi Arabia, Taliban regions...way to go USA!!!!!

[@NeuroDeviant421]

to be fair, some cops treat everybody like garbage.

[@russellopenshaw8975]

Old disabled war hero makes no differance to the horrible tyrant bullies stinks

[@dianarockwell6256]

I know they almost always end their report with we reached out to the the parties and they have not responded. I have been on the other end of those calls in one of my former jobs in the financial industry. When there was a big riser drop in the stock market or there was a Laura coming down the pipe, they would call us at 4 o’clock in the afternoon and expect a statement in five minutes. A lot of times we had just heard about whatever it was and had not had time to fully research it and determine what the ramifications were going to be. So we never returned those phone calls until like the next day. And then they would say oh well we were in the store yesterday without you. So they don’t give people a lot of time to respond and then they like call you out by saying oh well you didn’t call us back. I just wanted to put that out there because it always makes people look bad for not responding to their questions. Just remember you’re not required to answer any questions from the media.

[@Texasterrier]

These cops never take responsibility for there actions

[@danthompson6067]

No excuse for this.

[@golddenstar]

Lawsuit

[@dingledav]

Devious police dept there

[@stephanokidd4498]

My mans wore those BDU’s he looks pretty good for his age

[@notapplicable4567]

You cant do that.

[@damienoflaherty6493]

They settled for $130,000

[@markbassig1974]

Police dorked up.

[@MrJohn49g]

I support the police but this is false arrest and entrapment, especially since they never told him the crime he was being arrested for.

[@Kevinmullan]

$130,000 to try and let the cop get away with it. You suckers like losing your money for that?

[@rogerhogge7097]

Earning the hate. On the upside, every law enforcement crime educates more naive citizens to the reality of policing. It sickens me when I hear sheeple say shit like "He must have done something wrong or the police wouldn't have.....".

[@kennethblevins6172]

10 million dollar law suit