A Chicago police officer was released from custody Friday after being stripped of police powers following accusations he sexually abused and punched a 17-year-old boy at Harlem Irving Plaza in Norridge earlier this month, authorities said.
David P. Deleon, charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and aggravated battery, appeared before Cook County Judge Ellen Beth Mandeltort, who ordered him held on $10,000 bail during a hearing at the Rolling Meadows Courthouse earlier Friday.
In court, prosecutors said the victim and Deleon, 30, were friends and met through the victim’s brother, who is also friends with Deleon. Last Saturday, March 25, the victim and Deleon made plans to meet in the parking garage of Target at Harlem Irving Plaza, 4104 N. Harlem Ave., in Norridge, because Deleon was going to help the victim put oil in his car, prosecutors said.
After that, Deleon drove the victim to a lower level of the parking garage, where he put his car in park and sexually abused the teen, prosecutors said. When the victim opened the door and tried to leave Deleon, pulled the door shut after grabbing the victim by his collar and pulling the victim toward him, prosecutors said.
Deleon then “punched” the victim, causing the teen’s head to hit the seat belt buckle holder. That’s when Deleon tried to climb on top of the victim, who put his feet on the dashboard to prevent that from happening and was able to climb into the driver’s seat to escape, prosecutors said.
After that, Deleon told him: “I (expletive) up,” according to prosecutors, who said the victim told Deloen he would “keep this a secret so that the defendant would let the victim go.”
But later that afternoon, the victim told authorities what happened and Deleon, of Chicago’s Dunning neighborhood, was placed into custody on Wednesday.
“Officer David Deleon was relieved of powers,” said Chicago police Sgt. Alioto Rocco in an emailed statement. The action was effective Wednesday, Rocco added.
Deleon’s sister posted $1,000 bond and Deleon was released from custody and due back in court on April 28, records show.
rsobol@chicagotribune.com
