Boy in fake cop case accused of stealing car

The teenager accused of donning a Chicago police uniform and going on patrol earlier this year is in more legal trouble after he dressed like a grown-up to allegedly take a car from a dealership, police said Monday.

The boy, who was 14 when he went on patrol earlier this year and is 15 now, showed up at the South Side dealership "wearing a suit and tie" and asked to test drive a 1990 black Lexus, said police spokesman Roderick Drew.

A dealership employee had to jump start the car -- which turned out to be older than the boy -- and when he left to return the equipment, the boy drove off.

Police saw the car and attempted to pull it over, but Drew said the boy kept driving right up until he crashed it into a traffic control light. After the crash, the boy allegedly climbed out of the car and tried to fool police by posing as a father passing by the scene.

"He grabbed a stroller and pushed the stroller to try to blend in," said Drew, who did not immediately know if there was a child in the stroller.

After a brief walk, the teenager allegedly abandoned the stroller and tried to run off, but police grabbed him, Drew said.

The boy appeared in court Monday, where he was charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal trespass to a vehicle, Drew said. Too young for a driver's license, the boy was cited for driving without a license and driving without insurance and without registration plates.

The teen was also charged with leaving the scene of an accident. He was taken to a juvenile facility, where he remained Monday afternoon.

In January the teenager, wearing a uniform, allegedly entered a South Side police station through an unlocked back door and posed as an officer for hours, including time in a patrol car with another officer. He was discovered after police noticed his uniform lacked a regulation star.

The incident made national headlines and prompted an internal department investigation that concluded with a recommendation for discipline for seven unidentified officers for what police characterized as "lax" behavior.

The teenager has pleaded not guilty in juvenile court to the earlier charge.