Park Forest, IL–(ENEWSPF)– A Park Forest man was arrested last week after police say he called 911 so he could allegedly file an insurance claim to get help repairing his garage.
Michael A. McNeal, 41, 295 Minocqua Street, Park Forest, was arrested on October 13 and charged with one count of disorderly conduct (dialing "911" and transmitting a false report) when police were dispatched to that address to investigate a report of a hit and run property damage crash.
According to police, McNeal informed SouthCom Dispatch that a white vehicle drove into his garage causing damage, then fled the area on eastbound Minocqua Street toward Indianwood Boulevard. When police canvassed the neighborhood, they were told that the damage to the garage door was older, occurring a few months back. Police were also told this by a relative of McNeal’s.
Upon speaking with McNeal about this information, he stated, "Okay, I lied," according to police.
Police say he told them at the Park Forest Police Department that the damage to the garage actually occurred a few months ago, and it was never reported. Police say he told them, "The cost to fix the garage will be around $600. I attempted to file the reports for insurance purposes, to cut the cost for me to repair it. I thought it would work, so I dialed ‘911’ report the incident, knowing that it did not occur," according to police.
