Man wanted for reporting bogus Taco Bell robbery to get out of traffic stop

A west suburban man is wanted by Glendale Heights police for reporting a bogus robbery to get out of a traffic stop.

Authorities were called about an armed robbery at the Taco Bell at 145 E. North Avenue in Glendale Heights just before 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 6, according to a statement from Glendale Heights police.

When officers arrived, they discovered no robbery had occurred and the report was apparently false, police said.

Detectives were eventually able to trace the number used to make the call to 25-year-old Michael Cooper of Bellwood, police said.

A Carol Stream police officer had pulled Cooper over on North Avenue near the Taco Bell about the time the robbery was reported, police said. Cooper had falsely reported the robbery hoping the officer would have to respond and let him out of the traffic stop.

Cooper was charged with one count of attempted disorderly conduct for making a false police report, and an arrest warrant was issued for him with a bond of $3,500, police said. The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to a year in jail.