Heated homestretch Rivals for sheriff clash over stolen cop car

Journal staff report
Found on 12/3/02

Accusations about a stolen Manteno police car are fueling 
the bitter and hotly contested race for Kankakee County sheriff.

On Friday incumbent Sheriff Tim Bukowski demanded that interim
Manteno Police Chief Terry Keigher apologize to the sheriffs 
supporters and the public for "reckless and irresponsible false 
statements" claiming Bukowski or his supporters stole a Manteno 
squad car.

"Mr. Keigher has very simply lied," Bukowski said.

"If he is willing to make up false statements against me to
win this election, what is he capable or doing in less visible
criminal investigations?" Bukowski asked.

Keigher responded by accusing the Republican sheriff of
"negative politics."

Keigher said Friday, "This is just one more example of Tim Bukowski 
taking the low road."

Democrat Keigher made the remarks that started the controversy 
while on a WKAN radio program Wednesday.

"Are there political ramifications behind that theft? I don't know. 
I'll leave that up to the voters to decide," Keigher told listeners.

WKAN newsman Ed Munday then asked if Keigher was saying his 
opposition stole the patrol car.

"Well, that's what my investigators have brought forth in their 
investigation that they're researching. I didn't bring it forward, 
but it's something that's certainly out there. Someone takes a squad 
car, drives it half a block, you know, I think the timing of that is 
definitely a question," Keigher responded.

I was astonished by the totally false claim voiced by my opponent,"
Bukowski said. "After the radio program Manteno police investigators 
contacted me and other officers in my department. These investigators
assured me that there was absolutely no information to even suggest
that my supporters were involved in this case and the officers went
on to say they were extremely disappointed that Mr. Keigher
had politicized an ongoing criminal investigation."

The Daily Journal left a telephone message for Manteno police 
detectives but had not received a reply by press time.

Bukowski said officers with multi-agency Tri-County Stolen Auto
Task Force and the Illinois State Police told him there was no 
basis for the allegation and they had never suggested it.

Inspector Jim Vickery told The Journal that the task force had
"absolutely not" linked Bukowski and his supporters to the theft.
The task force is not investigating the crime, but a Manteno 
officer called seeking information on processing fingerprints,
said Vickery, who is with the Kankakee Police Department.

Master Sgt. Scott Koerner of the state police said Manteno police 
asked about procedures after the auto theft. "We are not involved
in the investigation," Koerner told The Journal.

"Shooting the arrow wide of the truth target has become a Keigher
trademark," Bukowski said.

The sheriff called the squad car issue "only the last of many lies
and misstatements" made by Keigher, such as exaggerating his 
credentials on campaign literature and denying he overspent the 
Manteno police budget.

And Keigher accused Bukowski of making up "wild allegations" on
the eve of the election. "Tim will do literally anything to avoid
the issues in this election."

Keigher said he will spend these last days of the campaign "talking
exclusively about the issues that matter to people."

The police car was stolen late Oct. 27 or early Oct. 28 after it
was left parked outside a Manteno officer's home with the keys
inside. The vehicle was found nearby.


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