Motorists impersonated cop, firefighter, police say

Two motorists face charges in separate incidents after Lincolnshire police said the men impersonated public-safety officers.

One motorist was locked up after police stopped his vehicle on the roadway and found it was equipped with red-and-blue emergency lights, spotlights and other police-car equipment.

The other driver was arrested after he claimed he was a firefighter to avoid a speeding ticket, police said.

The first arrest occurred about 5:20 p.m. Sept. 2 after an investigator stopped a silver Ford Crown Victoria, a car commonly used by police, on Milwaukee Avenue at Route 22.

The investigator saw the car was equipped with emergency lights, a computer, an in-car video camera and other standard police equipment, Lincolnshire Police Chief Randy Melvin said.

The driver, Bryan S. McMillan, 40, of 33712 N. O'Plaine Road, Gurnee, was charged with false impersonation of a police officer.

Police impounded the vehicle, which McMillan may have purchased at an auction, Melvin said. They are investigating whether McMillan used the car to illegally stop other motorists, Melvin said.

The second arrest occurred about 10 a.m. Saturday.

Maciej D. Spilman, 35, of 2195 Millstone Drive, Lake Villa, was charged him with attempted false impersonation of a firefighter.

A police officer stopped Spilman on Route 22 at Riverwoods Road because he was speeding, Melvin said.

Spilman claimed he was a volunteer firefighter heading to a blaze in the Round Lake area, but authorities called the fire departments there and no one had heard of him, Melvin said.

"He flat-out lied to the officer," Melvin said.