DuPage County Men Charged for Impersonating Police at Protests

Three men from DuPage County face serious charges after allegedly conspiring to impersonate police officers during a series of protests on October 18, 2023. According to a news release from the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, the accused individuals—Jonathan Capp, 22, from Wheaton; Andrew Knight, 24, from Darien; and Cole Sarros, 26, from Woodridge—were apprehended while traveling to multiple “No Kings” protests.

Each defendant appeared in First Appearance court on October 23, where they were charged with conspiracy to commit false personation of a peace officer and misdemeanor unlawful possession of ammunition without a Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID). These charges are classified as non-detainable offenses, allowing the men to be released pre-trial.

The allegations indicate that at around 15:20 on the day of the protests, Capp, Knight, and Sarros planned to wear tactical and ballistic vests to disguise themselves as law enforcement officers. They reportedly possessed 9mm and .223 caliber ammunition without the required documentation. Furthermore, Capp was allegedly found wearing a camouflage face mask and was in possession of an Airsoft rifle and a handgun—both of which lacked the orange tips that signify they are not real firearms. In their vehicle, authorities discovered fake flash bangs and lighter fluid, raising further concerns regarding their intentions.

Robert Berlin, DuPage County State’s Attorney, emphasized the seriousness of impersonating a police officer, stating that such actions undermine public trust and could jeopardize the safety of legitimate law enforcement officials, especially in the context of political demonstrations. “The allegations that these three defendants attempted to pass themselves off as peace officers while traveling to multiple political protests this past weekend are very serious and will be fully prosecuted,” Berlin stated.

In a similar vein, Michael McLean, Chief of Police in Elmhurst, also condemned the actions of the defendants, highlighting the threat posed to public safety and the damage it inflicts on the reputation of honorable police officers. “Impersonating a law enforcement officer is a serious offense that compromises public safety and damages trust in the many men and women who serve their communities with honor and integrity,” McLean asserted.

Due to the conditions of their release, the defendants are required to surrender all firearms, ammunition, or other dangerous weapons to the Elmhurst Police Department. Their next court appearance is scheduled for November 17, 2023, when the case will proceed further.

This incident underscores the critical importance of maintaining the integrity of law enforcement roles and the potential consequences of fraudulent representations, especially during politically charged events.