Crime & Safety

Man Lies to Police About Being Deaf, Then Tries to Flee

Terrance Godfrey, of Joliet, was charged with obstructing a police officer and resisting arrest following a traffic stop in New Lenox Township. Police say Godfrey pretended he couldn't hear, then responded to verbal commands.

A Joliet man lied about not being able to speak or hear when police stopped him last week in New Lenox Township, then tried fleeing the scene when they realized it was an act.

Terrance D. Godfrey, 39, of Joliet, was charged with obstructing a police officer and resisting arrest following a traffic stop Oct. 15 at Gougar and Maple roads.

Will County Sheriff's police said deputies saw a car cross into the oncoming traffic lane three times and then pulled over the vehicle. The driver was Brandon C. Nesbitt, 22, of Carbondale, and when police asked Godfrey for identifcation, Nesbitt told them his friend was deaf and dumb, unable to speak or hear anything.

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spokeswoman Kathy Hoffmeyer said Godfrey made various hand gestures, apparently trying to use sign language. Police said Nesbitt was sweating a lot despite the cool temperatures and that he appeared nervous.

Police were suspicious and asked Godfrey to step out of the car, and he immediately responded to the verbal command. Police still played along, handing Godfrey a piece of paper that asked him to write his name and birth date. Godfrey scribbled a name, but when police ran it in their system there were no results.

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When the officers went to handcuff Godfrey he tried to run away, but he was knocked down by the police and taken to Will County Jail. Police found a state ID card in his wallet and finally got his correct name. After running Godfrey's name, the sheriff's police also learned that Godfrey had a warrant for his arrest in DuPage county for impersonating a police officer.

Godfrey is still in custody and is due in court on Nov. 4. Nesbitt was charged with improper lane usage and not wearing a seat belt.

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