ROBBINS, Ill. (CBS) — The 66-year old police chief of south suburban Robbins failed a field sobriety test and a Breathalyzer last weekend when he was arrested for drunk driving, according to police in Midlothian.
Robbins Police Chief Johnny Holmes allegedly had more than twice the minimum blood-alcohol level to be considered drunk when he was arrested for DUI by Midlothian police last Saturday night around 10:30.
It was the second time in less than three years that Chief Holmes had been arrested for DUI by the Midlothian police. The first time was March 3, 2010. Court records indicate Holmes pleaded guilty and was sentenced to court supervision. Holmes asked a judge to only suspend his driver’s license for one month instead of the minimum one-year suspension called for in the law, and that was granted.
Midlothian Police Lt. Harold Kaufman says Robbins Police Chief Johnny Holmes blew a .19 Breathalyzer when he was arrested last weekend. In Illinois, you’re considered drunk at a blood-alcohol level of .08.
Kaufman says a woman had called 911 to report Holmes’ GMC Yukon SUV moving erratically on 147th Street. Kaufman says the woman says she swerved to avoid being hit by the SUV.
Holmes reportedly stopped at a stoplight at 147th and Pulaski, and then turned north on Pulaski Road, which is when Midlothian police spotted him and tried to pull him over.
Lt. Kaufman says Holmes kept going until he got to Maxey Court, near his home in Robbins.
Midlothian police say Holmes was arrested and given seven tickets for driving under the influence of over .08, driving under the influence, disobeying a police officer, failure to stop, no proof of insurance, illegal transportation of alcohol (having open container of alcohol in his vehicle), and improper lane usage.
Holmes reportedly had had a flask containing alcohol in his SUV.
Lt. Kaufman says Holmes had said he’d been at the Posen Pub before getting in his SUV to drive home.
Many Robbins residents are shocked by the news.
Lisa Young says, “That’s crazy.” She also thinks Chief Holmes should be fired. “That’s not a good example”, she says.
Robbins resident Patricia Sims thinks Holmes “should know better”. Of the news, Sims says, “That’s a shame”.
Twenty-one-year old resident Michael Jackson thinks “somebody else needs to take (Holmes) place.”
So far, there’s been no response from Robbins Police Chief Holmes, Robbins Mayor Irene Brodie, or any other official in Robbins.
Chief Holmes is due for a hearing at the Markham Courthouse on Feb. 6 at 9 a.m.
