Run Away Officer
A Cook County judge today reversed a decision by the Chicago Police Board to fire a veteran police officer for allegedly stealing a $1 bag of trail mix, court records show.
Ogden District Officer Aaron Pena, a 22-year veteran, was fired in 2008 after the city alleged he paid for two bags of trail mix but stole a third from a Walgreens in the 1900 block of West Cermak Road. Pena argued that he became concerned that he couldn't hear his radio and accidentally walked out of the store without paying.
"We're very happy the court saw it the way we saw it," said Dan Herbert, Pena's attorney. "He simply made a mistake." The board will reconsider punishment for Pena.
It sounded like an honest mistake at the time and it sounds exactly the same now. The store initially refused to sign complaints until threatened by IAD and didn't show up at court on a number of occasions.
In any case, don't look a gift horse in the mouth - retire and leave this armpit of a city, county and state as soon as you can.
In any case, don't look a gift horse in the mouth - retire and leave this armpit of a city, county and state as soon as you can.
Labels: info for the police
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
77 Comments:
Are you shitting me!?!!??
They wanted to fire him for bs like this???!!!!!
What the fuck!
Next they will want the head of somebody who hit somebody...oh wait, they did that!
Pasthetic.... but steal pension money, yep, that is okay - nothing to see there, huh?
"In any case, don't look a gift horse in the mouth - retire and leave this armpit of a city, county and state as soon as you can."
-----------And SUE THE PANTS off this 'city that settles' for wrongful prosecution. You should make a small fortune, office.
Screw this frickin Dept. Make sure you don't leave without a check for all the back pay!
Dan is a great lawyer... He will stand by you and get the truth out. Keep going Dan you have the support of the men and woman of the CPD.
What about the former commander of sos, now ads gets away with everything and now sits at 35th street lounging. if your a p.o. they will throw you under the bus, but the bosses screw up they get a pay increase.
Great advice SCC.
Like the song says...
"We gotta get out of this place, if it's the last thing we ever do. We gotta get out of this place, where there's a better life for me and you"
Good luck and congrats to that officer
Agreed, don't KICK a gift horse in the mouth.
what a shitty thing to go through for such a stand up guy. the mans a legend. God bless.
SCC this is J-FED Here::
Officer Pena violated the civil rights of the Walgreen's Cashier when he committed this dastardly act of deception. Therefore as i did with Cozzi I am calling my lackey Bitch Patrick Fitzgerald to immediately indict officer pena for civil rights violations. Secondly I conferred with the real sup Masters as in the Mike masters the Masterbater.
and scc you were negligent by not having a comment on my performance today at the retirement of Detective Joe Airharts Star. U no I was second Special Beat Off special agent in charge that day Detective Joe was violently gunned down. Was i bad or what
Walgreen security people just wanted this officer to not come back to the store and IAD forced the guy to sign complaints. Walgreen security never went to court and IAD threatened to arrest security until walgreen lawyers got involved and case was dropped. Im happy for AP but you are right scc he should retire asap and sue IAD.
a-fukn-men
what a waste of fukn time.
I'm happy to see this. Super nice guy.
Congraduation aaron , take the advise and retire and run.This city does'nt deserve you..
It all comes down to who you know in the City to keep your job. Also, IAD has a few individuals with tails, wonder if the IAD investigating officer's last name began with a "W." Sounds like him.
"Leave this armpit of a city, county and state as soon as you can"
Did this 14 years ago. Never regretted it. Been back twice briefly on business. Couldn't wait to leave again, was happy when I did.
Chicago is a sewer. I can't believe I wasted 12 years of my life there.
retire and leave Chicago?
Is that you advice for this officer or for all of us?
Pena argued that he became concerned that he couldn't hear his radio and accidentally walked out of the store without paying.
sounds like bs. a fire the guy offense no, but total bs, yes
Dont't make the same mistake Cozzi made. Retire and get out of the way.
I LOVE TRAIL MIX!
WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THOSE TACT OFFICER WHO SWITCHED PRICE TAGS AT THE FANCY STORE DOWN TOWN?
IM GLAD NO ONE WAS LINKED TO ANY OTHER TRAIL MIX CAPERS CITY WIDE W/ THE DICKS PUTTING ALL THOSE MULTIPLE ON PEOPEL U NEVER KNOW!
WTF do you mean that Walgreens refused to sign complaints? Didn't the store INITIATE this mess against the officer in the first Goddamn place?
Complete bullshit!
"threatened by IAD"? Well, I guess that's one version...
does this mean that j-fed will now get pena indicted for violating the civil rights of the bag of trail mix---- the police board lets people back on the job who fired their guns at cars and nightstands in anger but fired this officer---- what a joke, another reason anyone with any sense just puts that thing on cruise control with blinders on for 8 hours a day------
This is great news!! Now, maybe he can retire and become a spokesman for
TRAILMIX. If not here, perhaps in Latin America....
Amazing! The city goes to such lengths to fire an officer over a non-issue such as this and yet we have an Aldercreature by the name of Munoz(sp?) who admits he called Whitney Young Academy to see if, "something could be done." Oh, there was no pressure I'm sure. I wonder how he started the conversation? My guess would be, "Hello, this is Alderman Munoz calling...."
His excuse? Any parent would do anything to help their child. Well, not every parent is an Alderman.
Then we have Michael Scott, helping a group of West Side Ministers develop land that is adjacent to the proposed Douglas Park Olympic Venue. Problem there is he is also on the Chicago 2016 board that is trying to land the Olympics for the city. Conflict of interest? Well then how about the fact that Mr. Scott, who is also the Chicago school board president, sent a memo out to EVERY CPS principle "encouraging" them to develop an Olympic support program to try and charm the pants off the Olympic Advisory Committee.
Conflict of interest? Naw.
But wait, there's hope. Now that the light has been shown on this nest of cockroaches we find out that Mr. Scott will re-submit a REVISED CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT. There, doesn't that make you feel all better?
Now what would happen if an officer failed to disclose that he or his wife was employed by an outside contractor who has dealings with the city???
Don't tell J Fraud he might be considering a new federal case!
Pull the pin and run.
You know we all love our trail mix and IAD. What a joke.
You need to gain perspective on this incident.
The officer stole, regardless of whether it was a bag of trail mix, a pair of pants or a car, it was theft. Or maybe he didn't exactly "steal", if you need intent, I'm not sure, but at least he "took". Even if he didn't intend to, he definitely took. Or began to take. Depends if he would have returned it if he knew he had it.
He needs to be held to a higher standard, while on duty as a member of our proud agency.
We did our job.
Sgt. Rattus Norvegicus
Proud 121
"sounds like bs. a fire the guy offense no, but total bs, yes
8/13/2009 07:23:00 AM"
Like your opinion, no doubt.
Why didn't the cop just offer to pay for the bag of trail mix? I've walked out of stores before and had something in my pocket on accident..I either went back that day or the next time I was there, and gave them what I accidentally took. Doesn't happen often but when it does even if it's a bolt from the hardware store, I square up. No harm no foul.
I'm going to tell you one more time. Leave this city, county and state. There is nothing in Chicago for decent, hard working citizens. I know, I was screwed by the CPD. If you are not high on the food chain, you can forget it. I moved OUT of this state. Away from the blatant disrespect this city has towards its city workers. All I can say is try very hard to make it to retirement and RUN as fast as you can to another state. Believe me there are far better communities in these United States that would welcome you with open arms and have laws on the books to protect lawabiding citizens like you. Chicago is NOT going to get better. It will continue to decline for the next 10-15 years. Since I moved out of Illinois, I have not heard gunfire, emergency sirens, police cars with lights. I have not seen ghetto people hanging on the streets, use of bad language, trash all over the streets and cars with deafing volume. I HAVE SEEN people keeping their property up with cutting grass, planting flowers and bushes, neighbors speaking to you with a Hello. Police personnel stopping and giving you a good morning, couples walking their babies in strollers, people jogging and old couples holding hands for a midnight stroll and/or exercise. At night, I can sit on my patio and enjoy the peaceful sound of NOTHING. The sky is so clear, I can count the stars, the moon is so bright, I don't need light. Community meetings are nothing like Chicago CAPS. Our meetings are, should the speed limit be lowered or higher, the next road project, community activites, golfing and fishing events, parades, festivals, etc. This is how you should live. With respect and dignity.
Perhaps you should get the rest of the facts. This guy hasn't done a bit of work since his clout got him on this job. The store only called and complained after he had done the same thing on several different days.
Oh, one more thing for you officers to think about. All those awards, you receive through the Department, means absolutely NOTHING. It not worth the paper its printed on. Everyone is not perfect, but screw up one time (excluding felony and misdemeanor and traffic offenses)the Department will hang your ass out to dry. Don't believe me? IAD and Jfed will dig and find something not related to the original allegation and get you fired. So, it realy doesn't pay to go out of your way to get an award. IT MEANS NOTHING.
So, an officer makes a mistake in paying for two packs of peanuts but not the other one. And CPD wants to fire him because we have such high standards. And in the mean time, Aunt Bea (ADS Cuello) associates herself with known gang bangers, felons and her condo is full of dope and guns and nothing is even done to her?
This is how you should live. With respect and dignity.
8/13/2009 12:22:00 PM
Where did you go? It sounds very nice. Is your pension taxed by your new city and/or state of residence?
This is how you should live. With respect and dignity.
8/13/2009 12:22:00 PM
Hell,just by moving out of Shitcago/Crook county I'm living the same lifestyle you are.Great little town,a DUI out here makes the front page news,and 9 out of 10 times it's some clown from the city who got lost.
Retired...............and loving it
So, an officer makes a mistake in paying for two packs of peanuts but not the other one. And CPD wants to fire him because we have such high standards.
8/13/2009 01:20:00 PM
How do you have three items and only pay for 2 of them. (Oh I forgot I had 3 good excuse). Oh I had to hear a radio call and didn't have time(Well he had time to pay for the other items would the last item take too long to ring up and pay for it)
Are you kidding this guy is a cheap bastard. Couldn't hear his radio my ass. this isn't the first time he stole from this Walgreen. Not wanting any trouble Walgreen asked 10th dist DC that he not come into the store anymore. So what does he do comes back in. I guess he was just checking to make sure those Blu Blocker sunglasses he took would work as advertised. give me a break.
ANON- SAID:
So, an officer makes a mistake in paying for two packs of peanuts but not the other one. And CPD wants to fire him because we have such high standards. And in the mean time, Aunt Bea (ADS Cuello) associates herself with known gang bangers, felons and her condo is full of dope and guns and nothing is even done to her?
8/13/2009 01:20:00 PM
___________________________________
AMEN.
High standards? For who? Clean house and start at the top.
You lead by example and when the rank-and-file see the shenanigans going on with exempts, they do not see leaders, they see clout taking care of clout.
If a real major incident happens, I don't see "leadership" leading the charge.
This is a disgrace and a dishonor -- but could make a good reality TV show with that name "Disgrace & Dishonor".
Not fair to those who take pride in what they do. Just not fair.
And learn some military bearing when you salute - you know who you are. I'm turning in my grave.
Jeez, don't you guys get 20 off at your Walgreens?
Hey proud 121 (rat) take it easy tiger. Im sure you are perfect and have never done anything wrong. Im sure we dont have all the facts but one fact is that you are a sniveling backstabbing rat bitch. Im sure you were the real police beforehand and gave up locking up the real bad guys and going after coppers. How anybody would fill those vacancies in unit 121 is beyond me. I guess it takes a special type of person.
I can't believe this. As a former IAD person, I handled many, many shoplifting cases (and I want to say I don't feel this even qualifies). The maximum penalty was 30 days, always. Until Terry Hillard got in. He wanted to make a "statement" and the first 30-dayer that crossed his desk he upped to termination (I know this cuz it was mine). It didn't work then (and how many years ago was that), and I guess I don't understand how it went through now (oh, I forgot, J-fed). Just ridiculous - did this go through under Deb Kirby's tenure??? Happy to see my retirement in 4 months.
Anonymous said...
Oh, one more thing for you officers to think about. All those awards, you receive through the Department, means absolutely NOTHING. It not worth the paper its printed on. Everyone is not perfect, but screw up one time (excluding felony and misdemeanor and traffic offenses)the Department will hang your ass out to dry. Don't believe me? IAD and Jfed will dig and find something not related to the original allegation and get you fired. So, it realy doesn't pay to go out of your way to get an award. IT MEANS NOTHING.
8/13/2009 12:53:00 PM
No kidding they are not worth anything. I had a good laugh today at roll call. WC hands me a citation in a nice blue folder with the CPD star and logo in gold foil. Inside was a Life Saving Award, undated and with a plain jane generic description that could have been anyone anywhere doing anything, Basically I was given an award for having a pulse on some unknown day and doing something at an unknown location.
Same day I found out I am getting sued and the city's biggest ambulance chaser bottom feeder scum sucking law firm is handling it.
I am not going to miss this crap, not at all.
SCC, while I'm glad Pena got his job back, don't mislead your readers by omissions as to Pena's character.
He was known by several businesses along his 'foot route' for having sticky fingers. Someone just called him on it.
Like it or not, we, by the very nature of our chosen profession, are bound by laws, especially when it comes to STEALING.
Yes, it was a petty thing for Pena to do, but it wasn't his first time.
I hope he does the right thing and resigns, because I see Kirby and WEISel appealing this decision too, which would likely result in another 'official' termination. Too bad Cozzi wasn't offered a similar deal before being sandbagged by Weisel through the AUSA's office.
PLEASE READ: about two months ago, i walked into a walgreens in full uniform to buy a sympathy card to send to a co-worker. i was stopped by a citizen who needed information regarding a parking ticket issued by the matermaids. i had the car in hand, when a call came in of disturbance in front of the store. i walked out, and honestly did not realized that i had NOT paid for the card. after the disturbance, i rushed back, and explained. luckly for me, they never realized my mistake. i also know the staff here well. but, accasionally, we can forget!
I don't know, I never 'accidentally" walked out of a store with store goods in my hands and "forgot" to pay.
I guess if Pena was one of the "clouted ones" he'd have nothing to worry about, but then it's obvious he isn't...
Such is life under the tyrannical Shortshanks and big bird puppet,
J-Pud.
Hey what a minute, WTF, J-pud is still here... hey times up, and don't forget to take your brass knob polisher Mike Masters with you.
Rat said,
Maybe this officer was a footman and went into this store repeatedly and "took" things day after day when he needed to "hear his radio." Maybe he did this for years.
Maybe the workers got pissed becuase they pay for their trail mix.
Maybe they told this idiot to stop it and he refused becuase he is the poo leece.
Maybe he was arrested because secuity was sick of him coming in the store and taking anything that was not nailed down.
Maybe he got off becuase the Judge gave him a break and did not want to see a war vet go out on a bag of trail mix.
Maybe IAD could care less about this idiot.
Maybe we should all be ashamed that a man in blue is too f'ing dumb to take a hint and embarrasses this dept for 99 cents.
Oh, I forgot. It's an IAD conspiracy.
Now what would happen if an officer failed to disclose that he or his wife was employed by an outside contractor who has dealings with the city???
8/13/2009 08:53:00 AM
FIRED!!!!!!
Scott owns alot of property right in front of Douglas Park. Properties go from Roosevelt-19th st along Albany. He built the condo complex at albany/ogden. He's going to make out like a alderthief in the night at City Hall.
yes the dept. did do this to this officer. but remember the female do-nothing officer who demanded free coffee from starbucks, even when she was off-duty and armed (the same elements of armed robbery, not just theft)? did they try to fire her? nope. double standards? who did she know or blow? wonder what she did to get off (or get some boss off). . .
Dont worry Jody will have him indicted for a Rico statute. Saying since he took stuff more than once from the store he was part of an ongoing criminal enterprise. In Jodys thirty years in law enforcement he has never seen such a terrible act like the one committed by this officer. Same thing he said about Cozzi.
golfing and fishing events, parades, festivals, etc. This is how you should live. With respect and dignity.
Please tell where you live.
Anonymous said...
what a shitty thing to go through for such a stand up guy. the mans a legend. God bless.
8/13/2009 01:27:00 AM
A legend???In mooching free shit all up and down 26 st,maybe.Totally useless as a police officer from day one.A pleasant enough person,but never cut out to be a cop in any capacity.I know all the restaurants on 26 dont miss him.
I believe he walked with a pair of sunglasses from the same store a few days before and they had enough of his pilfering.
You guys screaming that he got screwed are barking up the wrong tree.
Sgt. Rattus Norvegicus
Proud 121
judge, jury, and executioner?
how long you live after you retire will note how well you lived your life.
Do not know this officer. Been retired over 2 years but what a joke.
High ranking exempts have their condos hit with a search warrant- positive- nothing done.
This guy was a mooch, nothing more, nothing less. Call the DC/WC and tell him to stay out of the store. But indicting him while the exempt walks, joke.
I am not even talking about pension fund, Scott with the olympics, etc.
old retired guy
This reminds me of the Sham-Wow guy who also sells some food chopper called the Slap-Chop. He gets to the part where he is chopping up nuts in the commercial and says "you're gonna love my nuts."
My new favorite commercial!
Anonymous said...
what a shitty thing to go through for such a stand up guy. the mans a legend. God bless.
8/13/2009 01:27:00 AM
Are you kidding me?!?!? This is a joke right? Rumored that he'd sleep in the car while his partner handled a domestic call alone. The list could go on, a decent guy to talk to yes, cop....NO! Remember, the trail mix was the final act at the Walgreens..... Talk to the employees to find out the real story. I dont want him in trouble either, but he was no saint....
don't worry j-fed will charge him now
this is fucked up
Hey IAD RAT:
If you are truthful, you will admit that there are nutsacks in your unit that pride themselves on screwing over working guys. The saddest part is the fact that they themselves were never the working police. I have heard horror stories and read investigative files that were totally one sided towards the shit head beefer. Why would that be? Most of us try to go out there and do our job. Your new boss Rivera seems like he wants to make some changes but still has to answer to Jfeds buddy-Brust. In summary: when IAd stops fucking over working coppers-we will start to see things your way -ok rat?
"I believe he walked with a pair of sunglasses from the same store a few days before and they had enough of his pilfering.
You guys screaming that he got screwed are barking up the wrong tree.
8/13/2009 09:40:00 PM"
You believe?
Do you also believe in the concept of making a mountain out of a molehill?
"Please tell where you live.
8/13/2009 09:10:00 PM"
Practically anywhere but here.
"Oh, I forgot. It's an IAD conspiracy.
8/13/2009 07:51:00 PM"
And maybe you're just an asshole.
"I don't know, I never 'accidentally" walked out of a store with store goods in my hands and "forgot" to pay.
8/13/2009 07:41:00 PM"
Prove it.
"I know all the restaurants on 26 dont miss him.
8/13/2009 09:22:00 PM"
Why, do you bus slop at one of them?
"How do you have three items and only pay for 2 of them. (Oh I forgot I had 3 good excuse). Oh I had to hear a radio call and didn't have time(Well he had time to pay for the other items would the last item take too long to ring up and pay for it)
8/13/2009 05:19:00 PM"
So much time on, or in, your hands, and you spend it pondering the solution to this puzzling case?
Dedication beyond the call?
FUCK iad,dealt with them,took 60days,ratsquad motherfuckers,blow me
Anonymous said...
This reminds me of the Sham-Wow guy who also sells some food chopper called the Slap-Chop. He gets to the part where he is chopping up nuts in the commercial and says "you're gonna love my nuts."
My new favorite commercial!
--------------------------
I agree, i recently bought one at mall of America and i love that thing. I use it on everything i cook. I even grind my coffee with the slap shot.
"I even grind my coffee with the slap shot.
8/14/2009 10:00:00 AM"
A euphemism?
i too was in a walgreen when some shithead was stealing body soap. i too had an item in my hand as i chased this offender out of the store. i had the good sense to drop that item before i left the store. bad guy caught and felony theft charges applied.
"yes the dept. did do this to this officer. but remember the female do-nothing officer who demanded free coffee from starbucks, even when she was off-duty and armed (the same elements of armed robbery, not just theft)? did they try to fire her? nope. double standards? who did she know or blow? wonder what she did to get off (or get some boss off). . ."
She was up for separation at the police board, they gave her a suspension. If you're going to talk shit at least get your facts straight.
Great News! Aaron Pena is one of the nicest men I have met on this job!
To the guy who wrote to the IAd RAT:
I have seen many posts on this thing, but none as right on the point as yours. This department is unreal! ANyone who goes out there and tries to be the police with any REALNESS is just asking for a royal IAD screwing.
What relaly needs to happen is a lawsuit of such magnitude re: violations of officers rights, conducts of investigations, lack of training with IAD rats, malicious and directed sustaining of cases against coppers who do the job,etc...
It is a shame that Rivera has so many coppers willing to take the word of a shithead over the guy/gal in blue.
God Bless the blue shirt and watch your backs all.This administration does not have your future or your family on their mind, when they are ready to chop heads...
Knock of the shit about I.A.D. For all you assholes who think they are out to get you WRONG.
In 30 years in working high profile units I found that the people there do not go out of their way to Jackpot anyone. Yes, they go after copper's that are a disgrace to the department. Thief', wife beaters, and pulling off frauds to name a few.
If they enforced the rules and reg' to a tee, many would be in deep shit.
I have known them to give more passes to copper's and even helped them.
My hat goes off to the people at 121.
I know of current and former IAD personel that love nothing more than to put the screws to a PO. And the funny thing is, is that that there are numerous PO"s assigned to 121 that have been more ruthless and have a more checkered background. I remember when I was in housing and the transfer list came out, this PO TF was on the order. We all started to bust his balls and starts saying I did'nt want to go there whats this all about? He is now a Sgt over there in confidentcials. Ya "I did not want this" Please
IAD SPEAKS said...
You need to gain perspective on this incident.
YOU need to grow a spine and a sack of nuts you rat fuck.
"Knock of the shit about I.A.D. For all you assholes who think they are out to get you WRONG.
In 30 years in working high profile units I found that the people there do not go out of their way to Jackpot anyone. Yes, they go after copper's that are a disgrace to the department. Thief', wife beaters, and pulling off frauds to name a few."
Oh, you must mean great leaders like Chuckie Williams who spent most of his pathetic career in IAD while using his wife/girlfriend as a punching bag?
I hate that cocksucker J-Fed as much as anyone, but seeing that sniveling pussy forced to retire, all the while thinking he had a snowballs chance in hell to make Sup. with his "Make Beleive" degree's from Roosevelt, made me feel great.
Show me one, just one decent person working in IAD, and I will show you 100 fucking non-police badge carrying posers working there just waiting to play god over some poor working copper!
I just have to ask, and I mean this! How do you or does an officer get to IAD. Is it a test, application, phone call. I never really understood it. I think that to some degree IAD is needed. I am however seeing alot of hate towards the members of the IAD section.
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