Off-Duty Crestwood Cop Charged In Midlothian DUI Crashes Resigns

CRESTWOOD, IL — An off-duty Crestwood cop accused of getting into two traffic accidents and was arrested drinking in his truck after crashing into a Midlothian homeowner’s garage has resigned from the Crestwood Police Department.

Christopher Spencer, 49, of Monee, is facing DUI and leaving the scene of an accident charges.

In a statement posted on the Crestwood police Facebook page, Chief Kevin Sisk said that Spencer had resigned.

“Crestwood Police were made aware of an incident involving off-duty police officer Christopher Spencer on March 31 that led to his arrest by the Midlothian Police Department,” Sisk wrote. “Spencer submitted his resignation from the police department prior to returning to duty and is no longer employed by the Village of Crestwood.”

Just before 2:30 p.m. Monday, Midlothian police officers responded to a hit-and-run vehicle crash in the parking lot of White Castle at 147th Street and Cicero Avenue. The vehicle owner described the driver as a white male driving a red Ford F-350. Police said the vehicle owner was also able to provide a plate number and photo of the driver, later identified as Spencer.

Less than 30 minutes later, a Midlothian resident on the 15100 block of South Kostner Avenue called 911 when someone crashed into his garage. Officers found the red Ford F-350 sought in the earlier crash at White Castle parked in the grass of the homeowner’s backyard. There was damage to the residence’s garage door and landscaping.

The homeowner told police he didn’t know Spencer. Police said Spencer stayed in his vehicle and was drinking from a bottle of liquor. The homeowner was able to take away Spencer’s keys, liquor and cell phone, police said.

Officers said they detected a strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech while speaking to Spencer, who reportedly showed signs of impairment during field sobriety tests. Spencer, of Monee, was taken into custody. He was processed and released by Midlothian police and was given a court date.

Spencer was an 18-year veteran of the Crestwood Police Department and one of its highest paid officers, earning an annual salary of $115,348. According to news reports, Spencer was given a year's supervision in January 2022 when his blood alcohol contest was .274, three times above the legal limit. In that incident, Spencer was said to have driven the same Ford over someone's lawn.