(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- A judge has found a Chicago police sergeant not guilty of battery and misconduct after the sergeant had a physical confrontation with a 14-year-old boy he accused of bike theft last year.
Police Sgt. Michael Vitellaro was off-duty and in Park Ridge when the incident happened. He pinned a 14-year-old boy to the ground because he said he believed the boy had stolen his son's bike outside a Starbucks.
The boy's mother said at the time her son was moving the bike out of the way. The teen's family said Vitellaro abused his power.
A judge on Friday found Vitellaro not guilty, saying video of the confrontation did not show the police officer was out of control. The judge also questioned the teenager's testimony.
Vitellaro attorney James McKay says the verdict is no surprise.
"It was very clear that the state didn't come close to proving their case beyond a reasonable doubt,” McKay said.
Javier Rodriguez is the attorney for the family of the now-15-year-old boy.
"They're emboldened by the prospect of continuing to pursue some sort of justice and some sort of remedy in the civil courts, but this is sort of a blow to anyone who would seek to hold those in power accountable,” Rodriquez said.
Vitellaro is on leave from the Chicago Police Department without pay.
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