An Elgin man and his accomplice are accused of carrying out a ploy in which he impersonated a police officer so they could rob people sitting in cars, the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office said.
Juan J. Rodriguez, 38, of the 200 block of Kimball Street, and Nicole C. Carnes, 34, homeless, were taken into custody Nov. 27 after an Elgin police “came across the pair as they allegedly were engaged in their scheme,” a state’s attorney office news release said.
Police allege Rodriguez approached people sitting in their car, identified himself as a police officer, asked questions and shined a flashlight into the vehicle before asking the person to step outside and give him their driver’s license, the release said.
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When the victim would take out their wallet, Rodriguez would allegedly grab it and flee, the release said. Carnes would wait in the car for him, prosecutors said.
The incidents happened four times on three days: Nov. 19, 24 and 27. A total of about $500 was taken from three victims, the release said.
Rodriguez has been charged with four counts of false personation of a peace officer/felony and false personation of a peace officer, one count of false personation of a peace officer/forcible felony, and three counts each of robbery, theft and burglary.
Mosser faces two counts each of false personation of a peace officer/felony, robbery and theft.
All of the charges are felonies.
Rodriguez is being held in the Kane County jail on $150,000 bail. His next scheduled court appearance is Jan. 12.
Carnes posted $750 bond and is next due in court on Jan. 28.
Anyone with additional information about the cases is asked to call the Elgin Police Department at 847-289-2600.