Plea deal negotiations appear to have broken off for a Waukegan man facing felony drug charges and allegations that he posed as a police officer to rob people in 2013.
Last month, Lake County prosecutors indicated negotiations were underway for a potential plea deal, but Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Money said Thursday it now appears no resolution is imminent.
As a result, Judge George Strickland set a new trial date of Aug. 17 for Danny Blalock, with a case management hearing scheduled Aug. 5.
Blalock had been scheduled for trial next week.
Blalock was arrested during a drug raid at his home in October of 2013, and was later identified by police as the suspect who was using toy props to pose as an officer to rob people, according to authorities.
He is charged with manufacturing a controlled substance with intent to deliver, manufacturing of heroin and cocaine with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a school, several counts of robbery, false impersonation of an officer and theft by deception.
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After executing a search warrant at Blalock’s Ash Street residence in Waukegan, police reported finding packaged crack cocaine, heroin and marijuana. Equipment to create an indoor cannabis-growing operation was also seized, according to a statement from Waukegan police.
Police also said toy handguns, holsters, walkie-talkies, handcuffs, badges and a “POLICE” shirt were also recovered.
After Blalock was taken into custody, police said, he allegedly admitted to dealing drugs and committing several robberies in July and August of 2013 while posing as an officer.
Blalock is accused of using the toys to impersonate an officer, approaching victims on foot, shining a flashlight in their eyes and demanding purses, wallets and cellphones, police said. The most he got in any of the robberies was about $30, according to police.
In one robbery, Blalock allegedly told the victim he was trying to determine his citizenship, police said. In another, a victim became suspicious and Blalock fled in a vehicle he later sold to avoid being identified, authorities said.
No one was injured in any of the robberies, officials said.
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