Crime & Safety

Woman Pretended Mom Having Heart Attack to Avoid Ticket, Police Say

Deerfield police say she told them her mother was having a medical emergency when she was pulled over for talking on her phone.

A Northbrook woman is facing charges after police say she lied about her mother having a heart attack in order to get out of a ticket for driving while using her phone.

A Deerfield officer pulled over Janet Chencinski, 67, around 4:30 p.m. March 19 because the officer saw her driving while holding and talking on her phone. When the officer asked Chencinski why she was on her phone, she said her elderly mother was suffering from heart pain and was very sick, according to a press release from the Deerfield Police Department.

When asked, Chencinski said it was a medical emergency and she had told her mother to call 911. The officer got her mother’s address in Skokie and dispatched an ambulance to her home, according to police. Chencinski asked to be released so she could drive to her mom’s house, as well.

Find out what's happening in Winnetka-Glencoewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

First responders from the Skokie Fire Department talked to Chencinski’s mother, who said she was fine and hadn’t spoken to her daughter on the phone all day.

After the story was proven false, police said Chencinski agreed to turn herself in to police. She’s been charged with charged with the following: using an electronic device/wireless telephone while driving, obstructing a police officer and disorderly conduct (making a false report). She’s due in court May 6.

Find out what's happening in Winnetka-Glencoewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Don't miss any Deerfield news. Get our free daily newsletter in your e-mail, "Like" us on Facebook and find us on Twitter.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.