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River Forest traffic stops nets previously deported sex offender
Updated: January 14, 2013 4:47PM
RIVER FOREST — A traffic stop Nov. 8 resulted in the arrest of a previously deported sex offender.
Rodrigo Garcia, 57, of 1837 N. Lawndale, Chicago was stopped on North Avenue at Marion Street at 5:18 p.m. after a mobile license plate recognition system in an officer’s squad car indicated the vehicle Garcia was driving had a suspended registration.
“A computer check showed that (Garcia) had no Illinois driver’s license, and if he did, it would have been revoked,” River Forest Sgt. Mike Thornley said. He said a more detailed check of Garcia’s driving history revealed multiple convictions for driving while license revoked.
A fingerprint check then linked Garcia, also known as Francisco Garcia and Bernardo Acevedo, to arrest warrants in Skokie, Chicago and Des Plaines, all for failing to appear on aggravated driving while license revoked charges.
“The officer did a very good job of following through and digging into the details,” Thornley said. “The arresting officer located information that Garcia was a deported felon in the country illegally and a registered sex offender.”
Thornley said Garcia was deported back to Mexico in March 1999 after serving time for a felony conviction.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency was notified, and a federal “detainer warrant” was filed with the Cook County Sheriff against Garcia. The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office approved felony charges, and Garcia was charged with aggravated driving while license revoked, a Class 4 felony; misdemeanor charges of driving while license revoked, and operation of a vehicle with suspended registration.
He was also served with the three outstanding warrants and held pending a bond hearing.
