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
It could have been worse. He could have shot and killed a homeowner while burglarizing their house, and then had the DA and police union say it was a good shoot.
If this blog proves anything, it’s that human nature is the same today as it was when man first walked the earth. As Aridog alluded to however, the military has an incredible history of transforming men and women into great human beings. Perhaps there are lessons to be learned there.
We are all sinners in different degrees
If Officer barker had stolen the money via civil forfeiture, that would have been OK, but since he did the stealing as private initiative, he will go to jail for a long time.
He should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Just like so called protestors who burn down Quikie Marts.
I grew up in Madison County, where Edwardsville is located. Even though there are lots of good people there (including the Fire Chief of Edwardsville, who I count as a friend of over 40 years), there have been a number of “interesting” goings on in that county over the years. Probably several novels’ worth of material.
So this guy will certainly get what he deserves. But how about all the politicians that while in office collect $millions in bribes (er campaign contributions) so they can vote on wonderful legislation like the Citi Bank taxpayer bail out bill. Or the bill to increase the $ amount for bribes (er campaign contributions) an individual can give to the crooks (er Congressman & Senators)? How about the Bankers that while on duty squandered $trillions lining their own pockets? “greatest aggravators”, I’ll show you greatest aggravators.
Not all humans have clay feet. I’m specifically referring to the medics and corpsmen I’ve known….among many others who put the welfare of others ahead of their own. My experience is first hand so I think I am qualified to say that. YMMV.
I actually feel sympathy for those who have no faith in humanity when the examples of positive contributions are all around us. I say that even oin the midst of my 90% Muslim neighborhood. It is one reason that I do what I can to help strangers who I will never meet. I’ve even had them call me and wish me a Merry Christmas, long after the assistance, which makes me think they, too, get the message. My assistance is seldom large, but it is the just dong that matters IMO. A mob of people doing the right thing is a powerful force.
Well across the board hero worship is pretty silly. All humans have feet of clay.
So what?
issac – they were doing this in teams in New Orleans.
Remember to tip your waitress.
Pogo, It’s like you’re doing standup this morning.
maybe all professions are meant to end in irony.
Maybe he was simply testing the local police response times.
Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Someone, I don’t recall who, maybe Chris Hedges, recently said: Today Doctors destroy health, lawyers destroy justice, universities destroy knowledge, governments destroy freedom, the major media destroys information, and religions destroy spirituality. We can add that cops burgle, firemen commit arson, nurses kill, etc.
Reblogged this on Citizens, not serfs.
Cops burgle.
Firemen commit arson.
Nurses kill.
Makes me wonder if bored obstetricians sleep around, bored physicists defy gravity, or bored ISIS terrorists build schools for girls.
This actually occurs fairly often,
This is actually occurs fairly often. Cops on the dog watch get bored, and some get greedy. I have read of this occurring in several cities in the various areas I’ve lived. The first eye opening event in this regard was an entire 3rd shift in my hometown being involved in serial burglaries. I was only ~12 years old @ the time.
Lead and we shall but follow.