Illinois Cop Accused of Spreading False Rumors About Shopping Mall Attack

A Lebanon police officer's claims of being assaulted in the parking lot of St. Clair Square Mall spark a widespread rumor of more attacks. Investigators say none of it appears to be real, even the officer's story.

Fairview Heights police say the officer reported for duty with a black eye he says he got in an attack in the mall parking lot. Soon, an email began circulating, which police say seems to have no basis.

"It stated there were repeated victims of attacks at our mall that were part of a gang initiation process," says Fairview Heights Sgt. Steve Evans.


And the email came from a seemingly credible source.

"The email indicated it was authored by the wife of a Lebanon police officer," says Evans, "and it added that another Lebanon police officer had actually been the victim of one of the attacks at our mall."

But there had been no report to Fairview Heights Police of any attack at St. Clair Square, so Evans tracked down the officer making the claims, and went to Lebanon to interview him.

"He told us he was attacked, but he refused to provide us information about the attack," says Evans. "He was unable to provide us with a date it occurred, unable to provide us with an exact location, he could only give the general vicinity, and he was unable to provide us with a description of the assailant. He indicated it was in his past, he was upset about it, his wife was upset and he didn't want to make a report."

Evans says the officer's refusal to file a formal report raised red flags.

"It is strange, I think, for anybody not to file a police report if they feel they were the victim of a violent crime," says Evans. "I think it's more unique for a police officer not to report they were the victim of a violent crime, knowing there is somewhat of a duty to try to protect others from being victimized by those same criminals."

Investigators reviewed parking lot surveillance tape of the last few weeks and found no assault. With no report, "we have no crime to investigate, to the best of our knowledge," says Evans. "And again, we've had no reports of any similar activity, no increase in gang activity, no gang violence in our area."

"We hate to see the email circulating when as far as we know, we don't have any facts to base it on," he adds. "St. Clair Square is a safe place to be."

Lebanon Police did not return our phone calls seeking comment.