DUI arrest in police parking lot

Hoffman Estates police didn't have to go very far for a recent drunken driving arrest.

Actually, the driver came to them.

Illya Kovarik, 42, of 425 S. Hurt Ave., Palatine, was charged with DUI Friday after police said they found him intoxicated in his car -- while it was parked in the police department parking lot.

According to police reports, officers got word of a suspicious car parked in an area reserved for police cars at the station at 1200 N. Gannon Drive around 7:45 p.m.

Assistant Police Chief Steven Casstevens said there are two signs posted there, one indicating that the lot is for police vehicles only, the other that civilian cars aren't allowed.

"The sergeant didn't recognize the car so he walked up to the guy and asked, 'Who are you and what are you doing here?' " he said.

Kovarik first told police he was there to go to the bathroom, Casstevens said.

Kovarik went on to tell police he'd just gone through the drive-through at White Castle, which is across the street, and decided to park in the police department parking lot to eat "for some peace and quiet," Casstevens said.

Police said Kovarik failed a field sobriety test and was taken into custody.

Kovarik was released on $1,000 bond with a court date scheduled for Jan. 30.

• Staff writer Ashok Selvam contributed to this story.