Post by WaTcHeR on Jun 15, 2006 10:45:44 GMT -5
Officer Jeff Pelo
06.15.2006 - A Bloomington police officer is on paid administrative re-assignment for allegedly trying to break into a home.
Sgt. Jeff Pelo is accused of trying to break into a Bloomington residence over the weekend.
Pelo is a 17-year veteran of the Bloomington Police Department.
Bloomington police said it's uncomfortable to be investigating one of their own.
"It's a sad situation when you have to arrest one of your own, but like you said, 'Nobody is above the law,' Bloomington Police Department's Dave White said. "If in fact Sgt. Pelo broke the law and has been charged, he'll go through court system like anybody else would."
Pelo's bond was set at $50,000.
As of Tuesday afternoon, he was still in the McLean County jail.
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. A defense lawyer says there's no connection between a Bloomington police officer and a series of unsolved sexual assaults.
Attorney Steve Skelton represents Sergeant Jeff Pelo, who is jailed on attempted residential burglary charges.
Skelton says he believes the 41-year-old is being investigated in connection with the attacks, which date back to December of 2002. But Skelton told The (Bloomington) Pantagraph that he "categorically" denies that Pelo has any involvement in the crimes.
Pelo is a 17-year veteran of the police department. He's on administrative leave after being arrested Saturday. Authorities say Pelo was off-duty when he was stopped outside the home of a woman who had called police.
McLean County State's Attorney Bill Yoder declined to discuss Pelo's case, saying it is an ongoing investigation.