Chicago Police Sergeant Charged With Battery For Pinning Boy To Sidewalk In Park Ridge Pleads Not Guilty

A police sergeant who is facing charges of pinning a 14-year-old boy to the sidewalk while off-duty in suburban Park Ridge pleaded not guilty Thursday.

Sgt. Michael Vitellaro is charged with aggravated battery and official misconduct in the case, which was shown in a viral video that made headlines across the United States. He pleaded not guilty at a hearing Thursday, a Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office spokesperson said.

In a police report, Vitellaro wrote he’d tried to arrest the 14-year-old while off-duty because he thought the teen had stolen his son’s bike — but Vitellaro abused his authority by using excessive force on the boy, who is Puerto Rican, prosecutors said.

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