Woodridge officials are asking the public's help in locating an ex-police officer charged with stealing more than $30,000 intended for a group that helps survivors of officers who died in the line of duty.The ex-officer, Scott A. Webb, 39, of Romeoville, was indicted Tuesday by a DuPage County grand jury on two counts of theft between $10,000 and $100,000.
However, he has not surrendered to authorities, Woodridge Police Chief Steve Herron and Village President William Murphy said Friday in a statement.
"It is indeed a sad day when any member of the law enforcement community is charged with crimes against organizations that aim to provide aid and comfort to families of heroes who have paid the ultimate sacrifice," the statement from Herron and Murphy read.
As a member of the Woodridge Police Association, Webb had helped organize a pub crawl that benefitted the Illinois chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors, a peer support group for families of deceased law enforcement officers, state COPS President Craig Figgins said Friday.
Figgins said the pub crawl generated about $15,000 a year, and Webb is suspected of diverting proceeds of the event last year and in 2009.
"Thirty thousand dollars is a big chunk of money in our budget," he said.
The Woodridge Police Association began the fundraiser in 2005 and over the first four years donated $47,000 to COPS, Figgins said.
Webb was placed on administrative leave in August, and he resigned in March, according to the village.
Anyone with information about Webb's whereabouts is asked to call the DuPage County state's attorney's office at 630-407-8000 or the Woodridge Police Department at 630-719-4740.
