Veteran Officer Richard Brown Jr Charged with Theft

A veteran Plainfield police officer was charged today with one count of third-degree theft after he allegedly stole several thousand dollars from the local Policeman's Benevolent Association, Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow said.

Richard D. Brown, Jr., 52, served as an officer for the local PBA for 25 years, the last year as treasurer. An investigation revealed that between June 11, 2008 and Nov. 12, 2008 Brown wrote checks to himself from the PBA account and "treated the funds as his own," said Romankow.

During an audit last month other members of the PBA noticed financial discrepancies and reported their findings to the prosecutor's office.

Brown has been suspended from the department and is scheduled to make his first appearance before Union County Superior Court Judge Joan Robinson Gross on Dec. 12.

"It's sad when greed outweighs the badge," said Assistant Union County Prosecutor William Kolano. Brown allegedly stole $4,000 to $6,000 from the PBA fund, Kolano said.

Drew Peterson's Son Suspended for Improperly Using Police Data

Oak Brook police officer Steve Peterson, son of former Bolingbrook officer Drew Peterson, has been suspended for improperly using police data, officials said Friday.

He was suspended for 25 days without pay for use of police databases for personal reasons, Assistant Village Manager Blaine Wing said.

Drew Peterson drew national attention when his wife Stacy disappeared. He has denied any wrongdoing and has not been charged.