Round Lake Park man denies playing police officer

A Round Lake Park man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he impersonated a police officer while wearing a loaded gun.

Leonard Knapcik, 54, faces up to three years in prison if convicted of impersonating a police officer and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney George Pappas said a Round Lake Park police officer making a traffic stop on July 24 saw Knapcik standing in the parking lot of a nearby business. Knapcik was wearing a police tactical uniform and a badge, Pappas said, and had a loaded .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol in a holster on his hip.

The Round Lake Park officer asked Knapcik what department he was with, Pappas said, and Knapcik replied he was a Lake County sheriff's reserve deputy.

The officer was aware sheriff's reserve deputies do not carry weapons, Pappas said, so he contacted the sheriff's office to verify Knapcik's status.

Sheriff's officials responded that Knapcik has not been a reserve deputy for at least eight years, Pappas said, so the Round Lake Park officer arrested him.

Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak scheduled a trial of the case for Oct. 12 and ordered Knapcik, who is free on a signature bond, to appear in court Sept. 28.