2 Chicago cops, including deputy chief, charged in tire-slashing incident, sources say

Two Chicago cops, including a high-ranking department official, were arrested Thursday for allegedly slashing a vehicle's tires earlier this summer, the Sun-Times has learned.

Deputy Chief Roberto Nieves, 53, and Officer Jacob Gies, 26, were both charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal damage to property, police said in a statement. They surrendered to police at the Central District, 1718 S. State St., according to an internal police alert.

They have both been relieved of their policing powers, and Nieves was demoted to captain, police said.

Nieves was allegedly captured on video cutting the vehicle's tires while wearing his police uniform, according to law enforcement sources. Further details about the incident haven't been released.

A 28-year veteran of the police force, Nieves currently works as deputy chief of Area 5. He previously served as commander of both the Rogers Park District and the Gang Investigations Division.

He has been the subject of eight complaints, none of which were sustained, according to a police misconduct database maintained by the Invisible Institute.