Police: Mime Alarms Suburb, Prompting Resident Complaint

A mime dancing at an intersection in a Chicago suburb alarmed residents enough for police to be called to the scene Tuesday.

Police say a Buffalo Grove resident called to report "a subject in a white mask dancing at the intersection" of Highland Grove and West Fabish about 5:30 p.m., according to Buffalo Grove Patch.

The dancer in question was Buffalo Grove resident Sorin Dumitru, 19, originally from Romania, UPI reports. Dumitru said his dancing, and his white gloves and mask, were a tribute to San Diego dance group Jabbawockeez, winner of the first season of "America's Best Dance Crew."

"I enjoy myself and the people who walk around and see me enjoy it," Dumitru told UPI. "I like dancing very much and it was relaxing time after work."

According to a police report, "Officers located a subject that was performing his pantomime. He was advised that some residents apparently find mimes disconcerting and he agreed to go home," the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

"He could have stayed, but more than likely we would have been deluged with phone calls," Cmdr. Jim Newton told UPI. "We didn't force him to leave."

Dumitru agreed to stop dancing in the intersection Tuesday but said he plans to continue to perform outside.