Reality Check: Illinois Police Officer Arrested As Allegedly Serial Burglar

When I was in Chicago this week for Christmas, Brian Barker, 41, was all over the news. The Edwardsville police officer is accused of being a serial burglar, including break ins while on duty. He seems wanting as a police officer but as a crook he is even worse. They found stolen items in his home and there is a security tape reportedly of him burglarizing one of the locations. The end came fittingly at the Reality Salon and Spa for Barker.

The security camera at the Reality Salon in Edwardsville allegedly shows Barker, in uniform and on duty, stealing $450 from the cash register there. He is also accused of burglarizing a house across the street from his own home.

Barker has been charged with a dozen counts of burglary, one count of residential burglary, and aggravated unlawful possession of stolen firearms. The last charge involves mainly stolen handguns.

If you are interested in hearing from the Chief of Police during most of Bedell’s service, he is not available. Chief James Bedell was indicted and sentenced to 18 months in federal prison in 2013 for embezzling $140,000 from the city.

Barker is facing a nightmare from a criminal defense standpoint. The police claim to have him on videotape and stolen items in his house. More importantly, committing crimes while on duty is one of the greatest aggravators that you can face in sentencing.

Source: STL Today