A former Waukegan police officer accused of stealing a car and later clubbing the car’s owner with his gun in the police station, was convicted of aggravated battery and given two years’ probation Thursday in Lake County Court.
In his stipulated bench trial before Judge Raymond McKoski, Warren Thomas, who was a patrol officer at the time of the assault last March, also was sentenced to 100 hours of public service and fined $1,550.
Thomas, who had worked in the department for less than two years when the alleged incident happened, resigned about three weeks ago, said Waukegan Police Chief Scott Burleson.
Thomas was off-duty and allegedly out drinking with friends at Flanagan’s Restaurant on Buckley Road in North Chicago in the early morning of March 4.
Thomas allegedly drove off in a Zion man’s car after the owner, Mark Keener, had left his keys in the ignition. Keener later noticed the car at the police station and recognized Thomas in the lobby.
Thomas allegedly attacked Keener in the lobby, hitting him with his handgun, authorities said. They crashed through the station’s plate-glass window.
At about 2 a.m., Thomas allegedly drove off in a Zion man’s red Chevrolet Camaro, after the owner, Mark Keener, apparently had left the keys in the ignition, according to the indictment.
Thomas’ attorney, Doug Roberts, said his client maintained that he acted in self-defense.
