Matteson Man, Willie Mathews Jr., Accused of Impersonating a Police Officer Near Loop ICE Protest in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — A man from the south suburbs has been charged with false impersonation of a police officer in Chicago.

The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Willie Mathews Jr. from Matteson, was taken into custody on Thursday for presumably donning police identifiers during an immigration enforcement protest outside The Art Institute of Chicago in the Loop, as reported by CPD officials.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Matthews was arrested around 5:10 p.m. in the 200 block of South Michigan Avenue, Chicago police said.

Chopper 7 surveyed the area of a protest opposing recent ICE raids on Thursday as it progressed down the street in front of the Art Institute, situated at 111 S. Michigan Ave., concurrently with the arrest occurring in the vicinity.

Matthews was arrested after he was “observed unlawfully wearing police identifiers,” Chicago police said. A weapon was recovered.

The suspect is confronting felony charges for “False Personation/PC Officer/Weapon,” “Aggravated UPW/Person/Loaded/No FCCA,” and “Forgery/Posses W/Intent To Deliver,” as mentioned by CPD in a news release.

No further information was immediately available.

Matthews was scheduled to appear in court Sunday.