Pair Recognized for River Forest Police Work

Two River Forest police officers received special "attaboys" from Police Chief Greg Weiss and the village board for their quick thinking in thwarting a pair of recent crimes.

Officer Justin Labriola, a 7-year-veteran of the department, was credited for to a home in the 700 block of Bonnie Brae Place. Labriola chased down one of the suspects, arrested him in the Chase banking branch at Oak Street and Harlem Avenue and placed him in a squad car.

Then he tracked down the second suspect, who was hiding behind an apartment complex on the 500 block of Harlem Avenue in Oak Park.

"Officer Labriola's skill and instinct resulted in a quick arrest...and his actions in this significant arrest have brought great credit to the department," Weiss said.

Michael Swierczynski, who's also been with the department for seven years, was honored for his part in while on seat belt and traffic safety detail near Harlem and North Avenues.

"[His] instincts got these offenders from getting away with an armed robbery and avoided a potentially dangerous vehicle pursuit," Weiss said.