A police officer who was involved in serious criminal acts has staged his own death in a bid to cover his crimes.
Joseph Gliniewicz
Investigation has revealed that an Illinois police officer committed suicide to cover extensive criminal acts including stealing and laundering money from the Fox Lake Police Explorer Post over the past seven years, officials said.
Thousands of dollars were used for personal purchases, including adult websites. Information from Fox Lake Police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz died by a carefully staged suicide, Lake County officials said at a news conference. He was also found to have forged signatures and official documents, officials revealed.
Authorities determined Gliniewicz intentionally left a staged trail at the crime scene to try to mislead first responders that this was a homicide scene. Gliniewicz had significant experience staging mock crime scenes as a part of his job.
Gliniewicz was found shot dead in the Chicago suburb of Fox Lake, Illinois, Sept. 1, shortly after he radioed that he was chasing three suspects. The shooting led to an extensive manhunt for the three alleged suspects. The subjects described by the officer were since found and interviewed by authorities who determined they had "rock solid alibies," officials said today. The police however concluded in its investigation that Gliniewicz staged his own death to cover in a bid to cover his criminal acts.
However, a statement today from the attorneys for the Gliniewicz family said: "Today has been another day of deep sorrow for the Gliniewicz family. The family has cooperated with the Task Force's investigation and will not comment at this time. The Gliniewicz family requests that their privacy be respected as they continue to cope with the loss of the beloved husband and father."