Arlington Heights police looking for cop impersonator

Arlington Heights police are looking for a man who flashed a fake Lakemoor police badge and tried to talk to children at Sunset Meadows Park.

According to police the man - who is described as being heavyset, white and in his late 40s - went up to a young boy and introduced himself as a police officer at around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29.

He showed the boy a five-point badge in a black leather case that read "Lakemoor Patrol Man." However, real Lakemoor police each wear a seven-point badge that reads "Lakemoor Patrolman," said Sgt. Mike Hernandez, of the Arlington Heights Police Department.

"So he either made his badge or had someone else make it for him," said Hernandez, who isn't sure of the boy's age.

Lakemoor police have no officers matching the man's description, Hernandez said. He is described as having salt-and-pepper colored hair and being 5 foot 10 inches tall. He wore a white T-shirt and blue jeans, according to police.

The boy's mom overheard the conversation between the man and her son, Hernandez said.

"The child and parent both heard the subject state that he loved kids and just wanted to talk to them," according to a police report. "He then left the park area and went into the bathroom."

When the man returned, he told the boy he needed to talk to other children in the park and left. A short time later, he drove away in an older model station wagon with wood paneling and damage to the right front part of the wagon.

Sunset Meadows Park is located at 700 S. Dwyer Ave.

Anyone with information should call the police at (847) 368-5300 or Arlington Heights Crime Stoppers at (847) 590-STOP. Callers are guaranteed anonymity and may qualify for a cash reward of up to $1,000.