Wanted Ex-Cop Had History of Infractions

A former Woodridge police officer who allegedly stole $30,000 from a police charity had a history of infractions within the department, the Daily Herald reports.

Those infractions ranged from failing to appear in court and arriving late to work to crashing a squad car into a light pole and fence when responding to an emergency call.

He also used a colleague's workstation to communicate with other squad cars, claiming to be that colleague, the Daily Herald reports.

Webb was confronted last year by officials after failing to turn in donations from two fundraisers for C.O.P.S., or Concerns of Police Survivors. The organization supports those who have lost loved ones in the line of police work.

Webb said he had mailed the donations to the organization, the Daily Herald reports.

Woodridge officials learned of "potential wrongdoing" by Webb in August. He was placed on administrative leave while the village launched an internal investigation and notified the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Webb submitted his resignation in March. 

on two counts of theft. Webb has not been found and is being sought on a $250,000 bail arrest warrant.

The Daily Herald reports Webb received written reprimands, two one-day suspensions and a week-long suspension for his various wrongdoings.

While Webb didn't have a perfect record, criminal justice officials told the Daily Herald it would be difficult for him to be removed from the department.

“This is a pretty incredible record this guy's got,” Rob Warden, director of Northwestern University's Center for Wrongful Convictions, told the Daily Herald.

“But police unions protect people who otherwise would have been fired long ago, and that's an unfortunate fact of life.”

A village statement said there "is no room in this department for any officer who engages in criminal conduct." 

"It is indeed a sad day when any member of the law enforcement community is charged with crimes against organizations that aim to provide aid and comfort to families of heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice," the statement said.

Anyone with information on Webb's whereabouts is encouraged to contact Woodridge police at 630-719-4740.