Chicago Warriors: Blonde In The Red Car

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:38:48 EST

The radio blared: "All units in the 8th District and on City Wide Radio, we just had a report of a hit and run accident at 59th and Kedzie. The wanted vehicle is described as a red sports car; the first two digits of the plate are ‘SR' Sam Robert. That info comes from an eyewitness at the scene. The vehicle was last seen travelling southbound on Kedzie"

"Hey we're close to Kedzie, let's drift over and see if we spot it Joe."

We had just finished the paperwork on a couple of "juvies" that had broken into a "Mom and Pop" store on 69th Street. These two fifteen year olds had already amassed numerous arrests for theft and other anti-social behavior. We caught them as they made their way out the back door, their pockets stuffed full of lottery tickets. That's what results when kids are out past curfew, nothing good happens at that time of night. It was obvious that these two were headed for adult court in a couple of years when they turned seventeen.

"Pete that might be our car!" Joe pointed to a red car that just flew through the intersection at 63rd Street.
"Let's go take a look."

I turned south on Kedzie and floored it. The red car was really moving fast, judging by the speed this had to be our wanted vehicle. If not we were going to stop it anyway for reckless driving. I hit the emergency lights that were hidden behind the grill, and activated the flashing headlights and siren. We didn't get the driver's attention for about a mile, where we finally pulled it over.

"860 Squad...We're pulling over that suspected hit and run vehicle at 79th Kedzie. The plate number is ‘Illinois SR 8311'. Can you run that number for us?"

"10-4 Eight Six Zero, Sam Robert 8-3-1-1"

"I've got the driver Joe."

"Roger Pete, I'm on the passenger side. Right now all I see is one occupant-looks like a woman, blonde hair. Wanna call her out with the PA?"

"No, let's approach. I think what we may have here is a lady that's had a little too much to drink. She probably wouldn't understand our commands over the speaker anyway if she's hammered."

I walked up to the driver's side of the vehicle, scanning the inside as I approached. I put my thumbprint on the tail light and trunk lid to mark it in case this thing "broke bad" on us.

"Looks like only the driver inside Pete."
"Roger that Joe."

He took his post on the passenger side of the vehicle, just to the rear, to act as my cover man while I contacted the driver.

"Pete, I've got what looks like fresh damage on the right side of the vehicle-the whole side's been damaged, like a sideswipe."

"10-4 brother."

I went up to the driver's door. "Ma'am, I'm Officer Shannon. We have a report that this vehicle was involved in a hit and run accident a few minutes ago. We also observed you driving in a reckless manner. I need to see your license, registration, and proof of insurance."
"Don't you know who I am?" said the blonde driver.

Her hair was bleached blonde-really bleached blonde and worn puffed up high like they used to wear it in the ‘60s. She had blue eye shadow on and candy apple red lipstick, so garish looking that her appearance was rather clownish. Her skirt, if you could call it that, was much too short and rode up her legs to the point of exposing her underwear. She topped that ensemble off with lots of jewelry on her neck and wrists. And, she was loud.

"No ma'am I don't know who you are, but as soon as I see your identification I will probably have a better idea. Now please-license, registration, and proof of insurance."
"Hey, don't pull that crap on me. Get Sal over here right now, he'll tell you who I am!"

"Sal...Sal who?"

The odor of alcohol was beginning to waft out from the car, along with stale cigarette smoke and cheap perfume. Glancing over at the passenger seat, I spotted a vodka bottle.

"Sal Rosato you idiot! He‘s your boss; he works nights here. Get him over here...now!"

"Did you hear that Joe?"

"Yeah, I think she's going to be trouble."
"Ma'am it doesn't matter who you may know at this point. I am going to tell you once more...give me your driver's license, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance!"
"I'm not giving you anything until Sal gets here."
She folded her arms across her chest and looked straight ahead, giving me the cold shoulder. Reaching inside, I quickly snatched the keys out of the ignition. This was the type of person that would roll her car window up before you could do anything about it, and then quickly drive off.

"Hey asshole, what do you think you're doing? Gimme back my keys!"

"Step out of the car Miss-do it now!"

"Go to hell."

I opened the car door and grabbed her left arm. Pulling her out of the vehicle, I worked her arm into a "come-along hold" and led her back between her vehicle and ours.
"Get your hands off me....what the hell do you think you're doing? Sal is gonna' kick your ass!"

"Joe, let's get her cuffed and we'll bring her in for sobriety tests."

"This could be trouble Pete. If she does know Sal, who knows where this might go. Let's get a supervisor here, and get a wagon to transport her."

"Good idea brother." I grabbed the mike..." 860, send us a supervisor, a wagon, and a female officer for a prisoner search."

"10-4, and 860 that plate comes back to a Sally Ruggeri."
"10-4 squad, order us a tow truck also for a 2007 red Ford Mustang."

"860, what's the reason for the tow?"
"Suspected hit and run."

"10-4 sir, on the way."

I didn't like the way this was going, but we were too far into the incident now to change course. Even though everything was being done by the book, I had a feeling that The Hammer was going to want revenge when he found out that his girlfriend was being arrested. We loaded her into the wagon and headed for the station.

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Chicago Warriors: Blonde In The Red Car