Feb 20, 2007 9:28 pm US/Central
Accused Chicago Cops Enter Not Guilty Pleas
CHICAGO (AP) ―
Four police officers accused of using their badges to shake down residents for cash and other items were arraigned Tuesday.
Jerome Finnigan, Keith Herrera, Margaret Hopkins and Frank Villareal all entered not guilty pleas to charges ranging from home invasion and burglary to armed violence and official misconduct, said Andy Conklin, a spokesman for the Cook County state's attorney's office.
Prosecutors have said in one incident, Villareal and other officers handcuffed a victim and entered the man's home without a warrant. The officers then stole valuables from a safe, including a gold watch and a rookie card of baseball legend Mickey Mantle, prosecutors said.
Finnigan and Herrera also face similar charges in another case involving two other police officers.
Herrera's attorney, Robert Kuzas, declined to comment on the case Tuesday afternoon but said all four officers are free on bond. Phone messages seeking comment from other defense attorneys were not immediately returned.
The state's attorney's office has said the accusations against the police officers have forced prosecutors to drop felony charges against dozens of suspects in more than 100 cases.
(© 2007 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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