Informant: Schaumburg cops stole from drug dealers

January 17, 2013 (SCHAUMBURG, Ill.) (WLS) -- Three Schaumburg police officers are accused of robbing drug dealers for their money and selling their drugs.

Police officers John Cichy, 30; Matthew Hudak, 29; and Terry O'Brien, 47; were taken into custody after a drug dealer they once arrested became an informant.

"They would give these drugs to the informant. He would sell the drugs, share proceeds with police," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said. All three officers were assigned to the Schaumburg Police Department's narcotics unit.

Prosecutors say the officers were caught on surveillance and audio recordings robbing drug dealers -- taking their money and selling their drugs. While the investigation is only two weeks old, investigators believe the officers have been involved in the drug business for at least six months.

O'Brien allegedly told officials he did for the thrill of it. The 47-year-old veteran police officer lives in Palatine with his wife and four kids.

"He was always honest with me," a neighbor said.

O'Brien's girlfriend, Nicole Brehm, was also arrested. Police say her Hoffman Estates townhouse was used as a drug stash house for the three accused cop.

Hudak's attorney said his client is innocent and he was doing what undercover narcotics officer do.

"Everything you do, everything they allege in this, is exactly what you do in an undercover drug operation," Thomas Glasgow, Hudak attorney, said. "Now all of a sudden you have someone who is a snitch, who has been arrested before who is making allegations that he was somehow breaking the law while doing his job in making narcotics arrests."

Village officials declined to talk about the arrests on camera, but they acknowledged the investigation in a statement, "The Village of Schaumburg this evening placed three Schaumburg police officers on administrative leave pending the outcome of a criminal investigation being carried out by the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office."

The department has also launched its own internal investigation, according to the statement.

Drug Enforcement Agency officials say the case is a tough pill to swallow.

"For me, quite frankly, it makes me sick to my stomach," Jack Riley, special agent in charge, DEA, said.

The officers are each being held on a $750,000 full cash bond.

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local, sarah schulte

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