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Detained Motorist Phoned In False Report Of Robbery To Avoid Ticket: Police

(CBS) – A detained motorist tried to divert the police officer who pulled him over by phoning in a false report of an armed robbery nearby, authorities said.

Michael Cooper, 25, of Bellwood faces one count of attempted disorderly conduct, Glendale Heights Police said Friday.

They say the incident unfolded the afternoon of Jan. 6, when officers responded to a reported armed robbery at Taco Bell, 145 E. North Ave. in Glendale Heights. Upon arriving, officers learned no robbery had occurred.

The number of the 9-1-1 caller was traced to Cooper, who, it turns out, was pulled over at the time by a police officer in the adjacent suburb of Carol Stream, Glendale Heights police say. Cooper was being detained in a traffic stop on North Avenue near the Taco Bell that was the subject of the false police report.

"Through further investigation it was learned that Cooper made the false report of an armed robbery hoping the Carol Stream Officer would have to respond and let him out of the traffic stop," Glendale Heights police said in a news release.

The offense, a Class A misdemeanor, carries a sentence of up to one year in jail.

Police said an arrest warrant had been obtained for Cooper, with a bond set at $3,500. No further details were available.

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