North Cook News

Gene Roy, the retired chief of detectives of Chicago Police Department and a media commentator, took to Twitter to applaud the not-guilty verdict for a CPD sergeant accused of aggravated battery and official misconduct.

"Chalk one up for the good guys," Roy tweeted. "CPD Sergeant found Not Guilty of Aggravated Battery and Official Misconduct charges stemming from an off-duty incident surrounding the theft of his son's bike in Park Ridge. Thanks to Attorney Jim McKay, who defended him. Now that the verdict is in, it's time to have a serious conversation about why this case was even brought in the first place. This was a total miscarriage of justice and an abuse of the system. Who pushed it? The Park Ridge PD, COPA, or people trying to create a cause to push their agenda?"

According to ABC News, a sergeant with the Chicago Police Department was found not guilty of aggravated battery and official misconduct by a judge on June 16. Sgt. Michael Vitellaro was acquitted following a bench trial by Cook County Judge Paul Pavlus. Pavlus said he saw no evidence of the "out of control" actions the prosecution accused Vitellaro of, and that the testimonies of the young boys defending the 14-year old accused of taking the bike were not consistent.          

According to ABC, Vitellaro’s son testified that he left his bike unlocked. Later, he saw the bike near a shop, the son said. 

Vitellaro pinned down a teenage boy, 14, and pressed a knee to his back after suspecting the boy of stealing the bike, ABC reported. Vitellaro was off duty during the July 1, 2022, incident that took place in Park Ridge, ABC reported.  

Although prosecutors tried to portray Vitellaro as “out of control,” the judge said he saw no evidence of that, ABC reported.