No Action Yet Against Grayslake Police Chief After DUI Arrest
GRAYSLAKE, Ill. (CBS) -- The Grayslake Village Board met in closed session Thursday night, presumably to discuss the drunk driving arrest of Police Chief Matt McCutcheon.
But as WBBM Newsradio's Bob Roberts reports, the board adjourned without taking any action against him.
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"He's still the police chief of Grayslake," Mayor Rhett Taylor said when asked by WBBM Newsradio about McCutcheon's status.
Taylor did not indicate what was discussed during the 45-minute closed-door session, or the options under consideration.
Officers confirmed that McCutcheon has continued to report for work and is running the department. He was named chief two months ago, although he had run the department since last July, when Larry Herzog retired. He has been on the Grayslake force for more than 20 years, beginning as a patrol officer in 1991.
McCutcheon was arrested after a crash at 9:45 p.m. on Friday of last week.
The Kenosha County Sheriff's Police report says that McCutcheon went wide when turning from eastbound Highway C onto Route 45, striking a silver Dodge. McCutcheon and his wife, who was a passenger in their black Honda, refused treatment or a sobriety test, but was taken to Aurora Hospital, in Kenosha, where a blood draw was performed.
The report says McCutcheon's eyes were glassy and the deputy who took the call smelled alcohol on the chief, who admitted to having three vodka martinis at the Twin Oaks restaurant in Wilmot, Wis., and identified himself as an off-duty police officer, displaying his badge while looking for his license. The deputy confiscated McCutcheon's Kimber 9mm handgun.
McCutcheon almost lost his balance while walking, and was swaying from side to side, the Sun-Times Media Wire reported.
A witness said McCutcheon's Honda was behind her and he was speeding up and slowing down several times, the wire reported. The witness said McCutcheon was "driving like an a**hole and that he flashed his bright lights at her," the wire reported.
McCutcheon was arrested on charges of operating while intoxicated and armed while intoxicated, the wire reported.
Taylor has promised a thorough investigation into the McCutcheon case, although he refused to say Thursday how far it has gone.
