Laurel County shoplifter used police badge to get away www.privateofficer.com

 

Laurel County KY May 9 2013 When employees at The Dollar Store in Laurel County confronted a shoplifter, he claimed to be a deputy, showed them a badge, and left the store in what looked like a Ford Crown Victoria, a car often driven by police officers.

Less than an hour after Laurel County Sheriff John Root’s office posted a surveillance photo of the man on its Facebook page Thursday, a resident responded with information that led police to a suspect’s home, a news release said.

When deputies arrived at the home of Robert C. Trabish Jr,, Trabish’s friend Marie M. Belle Richardson allegedly took the badge the thief had used and ran into the woods to try to conceal it from deputies, police said.

Trabish, 28, of London was charged Thursday with impersonating a peace officer and tampering with evidence in the Sunday shoplifting case. Richardson, 52, of London was charged with tampering with evidence. Richardson and Trabish were taken to the Laurel County jail, the news release said.

Henrico police charge man with flashing badge while negotiating prostitution deals www.privateofficer.com

 

HENRICO COUNTY, Va. May 8 2013 Henrico police have arrested a Chester after they say he flashed a badge while negotiating several prostitution deals.

Theodore Stewart, 50, is accused of displaying gold badge to several women while picking up ladies of the night.

Stewart is charged with two counts of impersonating a police officer and three counts of prostitution-related charges.

Former NYPD officer arrested for impersonating police officer at school www.privateofficer.com

 

East Hampton NY May 5 2013 Harry Dalian visited the John M. Marshall Elementary School on Thursday out of concern for the safety of his daughter and other students, according to his attorney Edward Burke Jr.

Police allege Dalian, 36, improperly identified himself as a New York City police officer and showed his badge and an ID that he reported stolen when he left the job in 2006.

However, Burke said his client was concerned about an open or unlocked door that was discovered at the elementary school during school hours and recent studies on school safety.

Dalian was arraigned before East Hampton Town Justice Catherine A. Cahill on two misdemeanor charges of second-degree criminal impersonation and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property on Friday afternoon and released on his own recognizance.

Burke said after Dalian had misplaced his badge and was issued another when he was working as a police officer between 2004 and 2006, and then found the lost one.

Dalian, who owns SPC Inc., a computer consulting business, has lived at his current address with his wife for the past six years, Burke told the judge.

After he was released, he hugged his 2-year-old son and his wife, who were seated in the courtroom along with his mother. They were relieved Dalian was coming home that night.

Dalian was arrested on Friday morning. Police found a loaded 9mm hand gun on him at the time. He has a permit for nine hand guns, all of which are properly registered. They have been confiscated due to the pending charges.

Burke said Dalian has cooperated fully with police, and has no prior involvement with this side of the criminal justice system.

He is due back in court on June 13.

Previously, 3:30 p.m.: A former police officer living in East Hampton was arrested Friday morning and charged with criminally impersonating a police officer after a suspicious visit to the John M. Marshall Elementary School in East Hampton Village one day earlier.

At the time of his arrest, the 36-year-old was armed with a fully loaded 9mm hand gun, legal under the permit he holds, according to police.

Sergeant Gregory J. Brown was showing Detective Steven B. Sheades, who is the new school resource officer, a position added earlier this year at the request of the PTA — when Dalian introduced himself to them as a New York City police officer. He had just met with the principal regarding “security concerns” he had, according to Chief Jerry Larsen.

Something about the encounter didn’t sit right with the officers, Larsen said.

Sheades investigated further and found that Dalian served as a New York City Police Department from 2004 to 2006, but quit for personal reasons, police said.

The badge and ID that he had shown the officers at the school were items he had reported stolen or lost in 2006, according to Larsen. They have been recovered.

Police arrested him on Friday, charging him with second-degree criminal impersonation and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. He will be arraigned at East Hampton Town Justice Court Friday afternoon.

The Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department has since suspended Dalian’s gun permit and confiscated nine handguns — all of which he was legally allowed to possess under his permit.

The school has banned him from the property, according to the chief.

source- East Hampton Patch

San Antonio man impersonating officer attempts to sexually assault woman www.privateofficer.com

 

San Antonio TX May 4 2013 When San Antonio police officers arrested Branden McGarity, 30, on Wednesday for active warrants, they didn’t yet realize He was linked to an attempted sexual assault that occured March 24, a police spokeswoman said.
Police said on March 24, McGarity was pretending to be an officer and told a woman in her car that he was going to arrest her for DWI. Police said the woman stopped at a convenience store and that’s when McGarity also told the store clerk he was going to take the woman with him.
Detectives said once the woman was in his car, McGarity attempted to sexually assault her. Police said they believe the victim may have been fooled by McGarity since detectives claim he’s active with military police and was driving a Crown Victoria.
Officers said there could be other victims out there and urged anyone with similar contact with McGarity to call police. Police spokeswoman Sandy Gutierrez said anyone who doubts the legitimacy of an officer and why they’re being stopped should feel free to contact 911.
“Even if they’re undercover, for whatever reason if you feel uncomfortable, you can make that call and determine if that individual with you is a police officer or detective,” Gutierrez said.

source-KENS5.com

Delaware County constable arrested for impersonating a public servant www.privateofficer.com

 

Delaware County PA April 18 2013 A constable in Delaware County faces charges of impersonating a police officer after he allegedly threaten to ticket a neighbor during a dustup at a neighborhood yard sale.

Robert Dugan, 47, of Upland, is charged with impersonating a public servant, harassment and disorderly conduct. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing. Dugan is a constable for the Borough of Upland.
According to public records, Doreen McGettigan had double parked her car to unload items to her house. Customers at the April 6th yard sale across the street had taken all the available parking. Dugan who drives a white and black Ford Crown Victoria, the same model many police departments use, pulled up next to McGettigan and began yelling obscenities. He told her to move the car or it would be towed. McGettigan told him there was enough room for him to drive around her car.
Dugan insisted McGettigan move her vehicle and said “I am an Upland cop and you are getting tickets.” When McGettigan asked for his identification, Dugan scream obscenities and drove away. Neighbors who witnessed the incident told McGettigan that Dugan was not a cop.
“So I called the real police,” McGettigan told police, according to court records.
In Pennsylvania, constables are elected at the municipal level to a six-year term. They serve warrants, maintain order at the polls during elections and can transport prisoners to court hearings.

Man arrested for impersonating Virginia Beach Police officer www.privateofficer.com

Virginia Beach, Va. April 17 2013– A 54-year-old man has been arrested for impersonating a Virginia Beach Police officer earlier this month.
According to Virginia Beach Police, Thomas Kent VanKempen was driving a white pickup in the 200 block of S. Independence Boulevard towards Baxter Road when he pulled in front of a female victim, Carol McEwen, and slammed on his brakes.
VanKempen then allegedly got out of his vehicle and flashed a gold badge in a leather wallet at the McEwen and asked for her driver’s license and registration.
McEwen says the man told her she was speeding and he could throw her in jail.
When she asked to see his badge again, he quickly headed back to his truck instead.
VanKempen then left the scene and McEwen was able to obtain his license plate number.
VanKempen has since been charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer and released on bond.

Alabama police arrest two men for impersonating a police officer at Target store www.privateofficer.com

PRATTVILLE AL April 17 2013 — For the second time in two months Prattville police have arrested a man for impersonating a police officer at the city’s Target store.

Caleb Williams Phillips, 25, of 1788 Alpine Dr., Deatsville has been charged with impersonating a police officer, said Police Chief Mark Thompson. Phillips allegedly entered the store about 11 a.m. Monday , wearing a ballistic vest over his shirt, with a BB gun in a holster an displaying an Autauga County Sheriff’s Office badge on his belt, the chief said. Store management became suspicious and called authorities, Thompson said.

“He went to the store to meet a young woman and wanted to impress her, so he presented himself as an officer,” Thompson said. “He’s in the county jail now, charged with impersonating a police officer.”

Phillips has never been associated with the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, said Chief Deputy Joe Sedinger. Sedinger isn’t aware of how Phillips got a sheriff’s office badge.

Phillips was in the Elmore County Jail Monday afternoon, jail records show. Bond had not been set. He could not be reached for comment and court records show he doesn’t have an attorney. He was placed in the Elmore County Jail because Target is located in the Elmore County portion of Prattville.

In what police believe to be an unrelated case, Douglas Sterling Newton, 41, was arrested in February at the same store for impersonating a police officer. Newton allegedly presented himself as a police officer to store management, Thompson said. Newton displayed a badge at the time, but it wasn’t a law enforcement badge.

Police believe the two arrests are not related to two reports of a man impersonating a police officer filed in early February. One of the incidents was reported to the sheriff’s office and another a few days later to the police department.

In the first report a white man believed to be in his late 40’s or early 50’s with close cropped gray hair, driving a white unmarked Ford Crown Victoria pulled a woman over in the south bound lanes of I-65, sheriff’s reports show. The man tried to force his way into the woman’s car, but she drove a way.

The next week a man driving a similar vehicle attempted to pull over a man on Fairview Avenue in Prattville. There have been no arrests in those cases.

Source: Montgomery advertiser

Two men arrested in Cleveland for playing police www.privateofficer.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio March 31 2013— Two men are behind bars after Cleveland police say they robbed several people while posing as police officers.

Just before 10 p.m. Wednesday, a woman called Cleveland police to say her step-son was robbed at gunpoint on West 33rd Street. She said she witnessed two men, claiming to be private police officers, pull him out of his vehicle. According to a police report, she then said she saw a white Ford Explorer backing out of her driveway.

Not believing they were police, she confronted the men

. They showed her a gold badge that she said was actually a security officer’s badge. The woman told police that’s when one of the men pulled out a gun and pointed it at the throat of her step-son’s friend. Police said the other suspect urged him not to shoot, and they drove away. “We teach our kids to trust police, and if you got somebody that’s, I don’t know, impersonating them like that, then it makes a lack of trust of police officers,” said Cleveland resident, Dean Jones.

A short time later, an officer responded to the McDonald’s just up the street at West 32nd and Clark. A 24-year-old man claimed two men in a white SUV, claiming to be the police, took him out of his car, pointed a gun at him and took a small bag of marijuana from him.

“We’ll never know whether that’s true or not because police ride in all different types of cars nowadays, so we wouldn’t know and that’s a good way to get somebody, and I’m happy got them, if they did,” said resident Unique Terry. Police said the officers saw the SUV pull into a driveway near West 45th and Marvin.

They arrested a 21-year old man and 32-year old man, although they have not been charged. Officers said one of them had a gold badge around his neck, and they found a gun, police officer duty belt, ammunition and walkie talkies inside the vehicle. According to the report, one of the men told officers he “always wanted to be a police officer and I know I was in the wrong” and “that it was fun being a cop for a day.” “I’m glad that they got them now instead of waiting until it got more serious,” said resident Angelo Farmer.

As of Friday night, both men were being held in the Cleveland City Jail. They could face charges that include robbery and impersonating a police officer.
Source- FOX 8

Ohio man arrested for impersonationg Kent State University Police Officer www.privateofficer.com

Akron OH March 29 2013 An auto repair employee in Akron thought Sean P. Duffy was a police officer when he brought his white Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor with “K9″ stickers on it to install police lights.

“When I read his badge it said Kent State University on it. I said, ‘what’s the deal with the Kent State University Badge?’ He said, ‘well I used to be a cop there,’” said Carl Brown of Auto and All repair shop in a  Fox 8 News story

. Brown declined to do the work and contacted authorities after the sketchy encounter. Days later, Duffy’s vehicle was spotted again by the Summit County Sheriff’s department at a grocery store parking lot in Green

. “One of the shoppers happened to be a criminal justice instructor at Kent State. It turned out the plates were expired on the vehicle and it just became a part of the investigation at that point,” said Inspector Bill Holland in this Fox 8 news story.

According to the Summit County Sheriff’s Department, Duffy, 48, was arrested and charged with impersonating an officer Tuesday. The sheriff’s office also said Duffy affiliated himself with “Lost and Found K-9 Search and Rescue” and as a former Kent State police officer on his Facebook page.

Fox 8 also reported that Duffy allegedly identified himself as a police officer to other officers during traffic stops. Call the sheriff’s department at 330-643-2147 if you have had a suspicious run in with Duffy.

Baltimore man arreested for impersonationg a police officer during robbery www.privateofficer.com

Baltimore MD March 26 2013 A Baltimore man has been charged with impersonating a police officer after he allegedly placed a victim in handcuffs and robbed him of $75, claiming the money smelled like cocaine.

Baltimore police said the victim, 21, was walking down the 1000 block of Poplar Grove Street in West Baltimore on Wednesday at about 2:45 p.m. when Jermaul Dean, 23, approached him with a badge and handcuffs.

Dean said he was a police officer and ordered the victim to put his hands on his head and started patting him down, according to the police report. Dean took $75 out of the victim’s pockets and placed the man in handcuffs, saying the money smelled like cocaine and “it would be staying with him,” police wrote in the report.

The victim reported the incident the next day to police, who later identified the suspect as Dean. When Dean was arrested, he told police he was about to enter the city Police Academy and didn’t do anything wrong. He also informed officers of a gold badge in his car, police said.

A police spokesman said Dean applied to the academy last year but was not accepted.

Parsons man arrested for impersonating police officer www.privateofficer.com

PARSONS, KS March 22 2013 - A 29-year-old Parsons man has made his first appearance in Labette County District Court on Tuesday and has been charged with False Impersonation among several other charges stemming from a weekend incident.

On March 16, Andrew Hutto participated in a conceal/carry class at the Humboldt Police Department.

The next day Hutto, who was wearing a Humboldt Police Department Jacket, attempted to purchase a shotgun saying he was a police officer and was declined at a local department store. The store immediately reported the purchase attempt to police.

Hutto was arrested minutes later inside the store. He was carrying a 9mm concealed weapon at the time of the arrest.

During the subsequent investigation, officers found the following Humboldt Police Department equipment in Hutto’s home: a handheld police radio, police uniform shirts, a police jacket, handcuffs, and two mace canisters.

In addition, a .22 caliber handgun was also recovered. It had been stolen from a vehicle during the conceal/carry class.

Hutto has been charged in Labette County District Court, and is currently being held in the Labette County Jail. He was charged with False Impersonation, Possession of Stolen Property, and Criminal Use of a Weapon.

Hutto is also expected to be charged in Allen County.

Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to call the Parsons Police Department at (620) 421-7060, anonymous tips at (620) 421-7057 or tips@parsonspd.com <mailto:tips@parsonspd.com>.

Source:WOAM

Fla. Man Flashes ‘Bounty Hunter’ Badge, Gives Cops Citations www.privateofficer.com

Lake County Fla March 15 2013 A Florida man was arrested after allegedly flashing a badge that stated he was a “bounty hunter” and refusing to comply with law enforcement.
Lake County Sheriff’s deputies pulled up to the vehicle of Tippy Iwin Peek, 55, at a traffic stop around 6 p.m. Monday, the Orlando Sentinel reported. Deputies say Peek’s vehicle tag was expired and he appeared to have illegally tinted windows.

Peek, who was wearing a knife sheath on his leg, refused to give the deputy his license, registration or proof of insurance, according to an arrest report. He handed over a badge that stated he was a “bounty hunter” and a “private attorney general,” the report said. The Clermont man then allegedly stated that he “did not qualify for a license nor did he have to register the motor vehicle according to the laws,” according to Click Orlando.

He then slapped the deputy with a homemade citation for “denial of right under color of law.” “Color of law” abuses occur when someone operating under government authority uses that authority to deprive another person of a constitutional right, according to FBI.gov. The deputy said Peek’s accusation didn’t apply to him and Peek replied, “it will if you continue to detain me,” according to the report, then rolled up his window and refused to open it. The deputies continued to yell at him to open the window until one drew his gun. Peek requested he put away the gun, and after he did, Peek opened the door.

The report states that deputies searched the vehicle and found a lunch box containing marijuana, an altered driver’s license, and a rotating blue light on the center console that could contribute to the car being mistaken for a police vehicle. Peek allegedly grabbed one of the officer’s hands away when the officer tried to search him. He was arrested and charged with resisting an officer without violence, battery on an officer, marijuana possession and paraphernalia possession.

He has since bonded out of jail, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. “I’m not trying to violate anyone’s rights,” Peek told the Orlando Sentinel.

“I’m trying to sustain rights of the public.” Peek told the paper he keeps the “color of law” citations with him and hands them out whenever an official violates a constitutional right. Source:HuffPost

Fake cop tailgates, threatens woman in Oregon City with gun www.privateofficer.com

OREGON CITY, Ore. March 9 2013  – A man impersonating a cop tailgated a young woman in Oregon City, approached her, and pulled a gun on her Sunday, police said.

The entire ordeal left the woman badly shaken up and police are advising drivers to be careful. The woman, who is in her 20s, commutes early in the morning to her job at a senior-care facility. At around 5:30 a.m., while it was still dark out, a man started tailgating her and flashing his high beams.

“She pulled over on the side of the road. It passed by. She continued driving and it came behind her again,” said Cynthia Gates with the Oregon City Police Department. Oregon City police said the mysterious driver followed the young woman for about 30 minutes from Highways 224 and 211 all the way into Oregon City.

Then as the woman pulled into the health care facility where she works, she noticed she was being trailed again. “He approached her, stated he was a deputy with the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office and that he was conducting a study to see how she reacted under pressure, and she had done well. At that point, he pulled a gun out pointed at her, and she heard a click,” Gates said.

The woman ran. Officers showed up one minute later, but the man was gone. Police are warning that if someone is following you, don’t pull over. Instead, find a police or fire station.

It that’s not available, go to a well-lit, open business like a gas station, make a scene, and call police. The woman described the suspect as a white man in his late 20s or early 30s. She said he was driving a small pickup truck. Anyone with information was asked to call police. Source:kgw

Man arrested by Sparks police for impersonating an officer www.privateofficer.com

SPARKS, GA -March 2 2013 A man faces multiple charges after he falsely told Sparks police officers he was a police officer and drove around with a car decorated to look like it belonged to police.
The department began an investigation after they received multiple complaints that Richard Webb was driving around with the words “K9 Police” on the side of his car, causing people to think he was an officer when he wasn’t.
Sparks Police Chief Bob Myers says when they questioned Webb, he told them he was employed with the Quitman County Sheriff’s Office. When SPD looked into his statements, Myers says they were able to confirm he was not currently employed with the sheriff’s office and never had been.
Webb is charged with impersonating an officer, false statements and a misdemeanor charge of obstruction.
Source:FOX31online.com

DeKalb County man charged with extorting money, pills while impersonating police officer www.privateofficer.com

FORT PAYNE, Alabama March 1 2013 - A DeKalb County man was arrested Tuesday and charged with extortion after police said he demanded money and pills from someone while in the guise of an undercover drug agent, according to a Fort Payne police report.

Chase Anthony Chauvin, 29, of 7018 County Road 44 was charged with impersonating a police officer, first-degree extortion, second-degree theft of property, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of prescription drugs, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

He is being held in DeKalb County Jail on $150,000 bond, the report stated. Police said Chauvin approached a subject in the Fort Payne area Monday and identified himself as an undercover drug agent.

Chauvin then extorted money and prescription medication from the victim. Police gave a description of the suspect and his vehicle to other area law enforcement agencies. On Tuesday, the vehicle was located and officers from Fort Payne Police Department and DeKalb County Drug Task Force took Chauvin into custody.

Identical twin brothers charged with impersonating police officers www.privateofficer.com

PORTLAND, Oregon Feb 26 2013 — Identical twin brothers who co-own a security business have been accused of impersonating officers, complete with police-style uniforms and cars.
A grand jury indicted Jason Libby, 29, of Medford, Oregon, and his brother Donald Libby last week in connection with incidents that occurred in early January.
Jason Libby handcuffed a 40-year-old man for trespassing because he used the bathroom but did not bring any clothes to the Laundromat that Libby had been hired to watch, Medford police Lt. Mike Budreau said Monday.
The security guard drove an unmarked Ford Crown Victoria, and had a gun, a baton, a black uniform and a badge. A video of the arrest shows Libby shoving the handcuffed man, Budreau said, and he also used force against a woman who told the handcuffed man that Libby is not a policeman.
The following day, police say, Donald Libby conducted a traffic stop on an 18-year-old driver. Libby wore a uniform and had been driving an unmarked Ford Crown Victoria with a spotlight.
The teenager stopped his vehicle because he thought Libby was a cop, Budreau said. Libby questioned the driver about his alcohol use and had him step out of the car. Libby then performed field sobriety tests on the young man and warned him he could be arrested for drunken driving and trespassing.
A Medford police officer patrolling the area arrived during the security officer’s traffic stop.
“That person who was stopped for the DUI was legitimately thinking this was police officer conducting a DUI investigation, and was rather upset to learn it was a security officer,” Budreau said.
Budreau said Jason Libby was initially indicted for both incidents before the authorities learned his identical twin was the phony officer in the traffic stop.
“It’s hard to tell the difference,” Budreau said.
Jason Libby was charged with assault and harassment and Donald Libby was charged with criminal impersonation. Both were released from jail after posting bail.
Donald Libby referred questions to his attorney Monday, but said to “remember there are always two sides to the story. Don’t hammer us like everybody else has been doing.”
The attorney, Nathan Wente, said he could not comment because he has only been provided with limited information.
“I don’t know what evidence, if any, the state has,” he said.
This is not the first time Medford authorities have accused the brothers of leading people to believe they were police.
In 2010, the brothers were cited for harassment after tackling a suspect at a lot they were contracted to watch. The case was dismissed because the witnesses could not be found. The following year, the brothers were accused of pulling a baton and pointing a Taser stun gun at patrons involved in a disturbance at a restaurant, Budreau said. Nothing became of that case, either.

Jackson man arrested for impersonating a police officer www.privateofficer.com

JACKSON NJ Feb 25 2013 — A township man has been arrested for impersonating a police officer, according to the Asbury Park Press.
Matthew Schurgin, 27, is facing multiple charges after he allegedly followed a female driver to her home on Claridge Drive Tuesday in his red 2010 Volkswagen Jetta where he activated blue emergency lights before getting out of the car to yell at the female driver.
Schurgin’s car was found by Jackson Police in a driveway on Claridge where he was arrested.
His car had a working siren and air horn, according to police. They also found a police duty belt, handcuffs, a flashlight, pepper spray, a folding knife and an expandable baton, the report said.
Also in the car were Manchester and Howell first-aid identifications, a Jackson first-aid jacket and Police Athletic League business cards, authorities said.
Schurgin was charged with impersonating an officer, harassment and possession of a weapon. A dozen motor vehicle summons were also issued to him, the report said.

Source: nj.com

Ga. Bass Pro employee charged with impersonating police officer www.privateofficer.com

Buford GA Feb 20 2013 A Buford man was arrested on Feb. 16 after reportedly claiming he was a Gwinnett County Police officer.
Sugarloaf Mills security contacted the Gwinnett County Police Department (GCPD) after an employee of Bass Pro reported that another employee of the store had identified himself as a police officer. A GCPD officer located the man, later identified as Zachariah Henry, 27, of Buford, wearing a baseball cap with “POLICE” across the front. Henry was also wearing a holstered Glock 22, handcuffs, two loaded magazines and a gold-plated badge which appeared to be similar to a Gwinnett County Police badge.
Upon questioning, Henry reportedly said he was a police officer and worked for the Gwinnett County Police Department. When the officer asked which precinct he worked out of, Henry allegedly replied “The 13th.” GCPD does not have a 13th precinct.
When asked for his police credentials, Henry was unable to produce any and said he had left them at home. While another GCPD officer stayed with Henry, the investigating officer spoke with the witnesses.
One witness, a co-worker of Henry’s, advised that Henry seemed excited about the store’s new 5.11 tactical gear. The co-worker said her friend asked Henry if he was a “rent-a-cop.”
According to the police report, “Henry responded in a defensive manner and said he took offense to [the friend's] comment because he worked hard to get where he was and cops did not appreciate comments like that.”
The officer returned to speak with Henry and asked why he had claimed to be an officer when he was not. Henry reportedly said, “I don’t know. I guess I got scared.”
Henry was placed under arrest for impersonating an officer. While enroute to the jail, Henry reportedly apologized for lying and said he had wanted to be a police officer all his life.
Henry’s weapons and police gear were placed into evidence at police headquarters. He was released from jail on Feb. 17 on a $2,950 bond.

Source: Patch News

Fake constable steals’ car www.privateofficer.com

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. Feb 9 2013
Southwest Regional Police said they’re searching for man accused of stealing a car he found through a Craigslist advertisement.
Investigators said Jeffery Paul reported that he tried selling a Ford Crown Victoria on the website and received a response from a man who identified himself as John Tobisti.
In December, Paul said he met the man at a Bentleyville store and was told by the buyer that he was a Pennsylvania state constable who needed the vehicle for work purposes.
Paul said he had the buyer sign a contract, promising to pay for the car. Afterward, Paul said the man never made a payment and broke off contact with him.
Police said they later learned that “John Tobisti” is actually Timothy Rossell, who is not a constable.
A warrant for Rossell’s arrest has been issued. He’s described as a 25-year-old white male with blonde hair, green eyes and weighs about 200 pounds.
Police said Rossell is known to frequent the Bentleyville and Roscoe areas of Washington County. Anyone with information on his whereabouts should call 724-929-8484.

source-wpxi.com

Arnold Man Arrested for Impersonating Police Officer www.privateofficer.com

Anne Arundel County MD Feb 5 2013 An Arnold man faces charges of impersonating an officer and driving while intoxicated, after an Anne Arundel County police officer identified the man’s civilian vehicle as he attempted to pull over another vehicle early Sunday.

According to police, an officer working an overnight shift saw a black Ford Crown Victoria pulling into the 7-Eleven parking lot at the intersection of Furnace Branch Road East and Point Pleasant Road in Glen Burnie shortly after 2 a.m. The vehicle was reportedly operating a red rotational light on the dashboard, and the driver was attempting to pull over another vehicle.

The county officer checked the department’s data system and determined the Ford was not a police vehicle, but owned by a civilian.

Police arrested the man, Zachary Allan Butler, 23, of Arnold and charged him with impersonating a police officer and driving while intoxicated.

Source-patch.com

SC man arrested for impersonation of state law enforcement agent www.privateofficer.com

NEWBERRY COUNTY, SC Jan 29 2013

A man is in custody for impersonating a police officer after he represented himself as a personal body guard to South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, according to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office.
The Newberry County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint that a man was presenting himself as a SLED agent assigned to the Governor’s Security Task Force.

During the investigation, deputies also learned that the suspect had fraudulently identified himself as a licensed private investigator, and had presented several business cards to people in the community soliciting business as WSF Investigations.
The suspect was identified as William Scott Fowler, 39, of Chapin.

Based on the witness statements and the evidence obtained, investigators interviewed Fowler who admitted to the allegations. Fowler was charged by the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office with impersonating a police officer. He was also charged with soliciting business as a private investigator by the State Law Enforcement Division.
Additionally, SLED charged Fowler with forgery and filing a false affidavit with the Department of Motor Vehicles after it was learned he forged documents to obtain a Fraternal Order of Police license plate, deputies said.
Investigators are still working with state and federal authorities and additional charges may be filed.

Fowler was taken into custody late Friday afternoon. His bond has been set at $10,000.
In addition to his current charges, Fowler was convicted of forgery in 1992, impersonating an officer in 1995, credit card theft in 1995, defrauding a federally insured institution in 1998, and has a number fraudulent check convictions, deputies said.

Investigators are asking anyone who had contact with Fowler when he identified himself as a police officer or offered private investigator services to contact the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office at (803) 321-2222.

Source-WIS

Former Arkansas constable facing felony charges www.privateofficer.com

SPRINGDALE, Ark.Jan 27 2013 —Tommy Clowers is the former Washington County constable, but he’s currently being held in the Benton County Jail. Investigators searched his Springdale home and seized much of his property on Friday afternoon after police reports were filed in Benton County suggesting Clowers was making traffic stops in Rogers. His girlfriend, Shelley Dickard, says it’s just not true.

“He would never ever pull anyone over, especially not in Rogers,” Dickard said.

65-year-old Tommy Clowers was arrested Friday, and his two vehicles were towed away.

“He’s had these vehicles for I think probably 10 years. He was a constable and had constable stickers on them,” Dickard said.

She says Clowers put civil officer decals on his vehicles once his term as constable ended in December. Those decals were also taken by investigators on friday, in addition to computers, firearms and the list goes on.

“Uniforms, patches, badges, weapons and we took two semi-marked police units, outfitted with blue lights and sirens,” Sgt. Andy Lee with the Benton County Sheriff’s Department said.

Lee said this all stems from a police report in which a driver said Clowers pulled them over. Investigators tell 40/29 News even though Clowers has the necessary training, it’s still considered impersonating an officer since his constable term ended last month.

Dickard believes Clowers is innocent.

“I can stake my life on he does not make traffic stops; no doubt in my mind at all. He is the most honest man you’ll ever meet in your life,” Dickard said.

Police say Clowers was enforcing traffic laws, specifically targetting people who were not wearing their seat belts. Now, Clowers sits in the Benton County Jail waiting for his bond hearing.

source-www.4029tv.com

Philadelphia man charged with impersonating fire investigator www.privateofficer.com

PHILADELPHIA PA Jan 15 2013
Philadelphia police say a man who allegedly posed as a fire investigator and stole electronics was arrested this week.
According to police, the man was involved in thefts at three different Center City locations before he was arrested on Thursday.
Police say 26-year-old Christopher Kieter was taken into custody at his home on the 200 block of S. 13th Street earlier this week after investigators recovered the stolen items.
Investigators say the thefts started on January 3rd, when a suspect, Kieter, walked into the Academy of Music wearing a Philadelphia Fire Department shirt and carrying a handheld radio. Police say Kieter used his real name when talking with security.
During the alleged inspection, police say security lost sight of him at which point he allegedly stole a computer and a pair of headphones along with a radio that had “les Mis” written on the front of it.
The next night, January 4th, police say Kieter entered another Center City building posing as a fire inspector. Police say he was wearing a Philadelphia Fire Department sweatshirt and carried a handheld radio with a microphone.
In just 28 minutes, police say Kieter was captured on surveillance video reaching behind a concierge desk and taking a handheld radio valued at $2,500. A microphone, worth more than $600, was also reported missing from another area of the building.
On January 8th, police say another incident took place, this time at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. In the third incident, police say Kieter inspected fire extinguishers, removed several tags and even allegedly warned the building manager of a fine if the fire extinguisher tags were not replaced.
At one point, Kieter allegedly told employees they needed to leave the building’s equipment cage so that he could spray some type of fume into the air. When employees returned, they noticed two laptops were missing from the equipment cage.
Police say Kieter used his name when signing into a visitors log.
Kieter faces Criminal Trespass, Theft-Unlawful Taking and Impersonating charges.

Source:myfoxphilly.com

Colorado Springs man arrested for impersonating police officer www.privateofficer.com

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Jan 2 2013

Colorado Springs police arrested a man who they said pretended to be an officer during an argument at a bar.
Poilce said John Paul Hersberg was involved in a disturbance at Duffy’s Bar on Academy Boulevard and Flintridge Saturday night.
Hersberg showed a badge to a customer at the bar and asked him to step outside, according to police.
Officers said when they arrived on scene Hersberg appeared to be drunk and had a loaded gun in a holster on his belt. Investigators discovered Hersberg is actually a bail bondsman out of Arizona.
Hersberg was booked into El Paso County Jail. He faces charges of impersonating a peace officer and prohibited use of a weapon.

Clearlake Oaks man arrested for posing as cop www.privateofficer.com

CLEARLAKE CA Dec 23 2012 — A Clearlake Oaks man was arrested early Friday morning after allegedly posing as a police officer. Clearlake Police Department (CPD) officers were dispatched to the area of Highway 53 and Olympic Drive for a report at about 1 a.m. of a person being pulled over by a suspicious unmarked car, which had red and blue lights mounted above the rear view mirror, according to a CPD report by Sgt. Tim Hobbs. CPD Sgt. Rodd Joseph located a dark purple 2000 Chevy Malibu parked on Old Highway 53 at Denman Road, according to Hobbs.
The driver of the car was identified as, Clearlake Oaks resident David Killen, 28. Two female passengers were also in the car. One was identified as Clearlake resident Holly Harvey, 33. Joseph saw a red and blue light above the rear view mirror, a portable scanner attached to the dashboard, a megaphone with built in siren near the center console and a siren control box mounted to the dash, according to the report. Killen allegedly pulled a car over.
The car driven by Killen was also allegedly used to unlawfully pull another car over in November on Highway 20 near Clearlake Oaks. Harvey was reportedly found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Killen was arrested and booked into Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility on charges of false imprisonment, impersonating a peace officer, driving with a suspended driver’s license and intercepting police radio communications.
Harvey was arrested and booked into the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility on charges of possession of controlled substance and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia.
Anyone with information regarding similar incidents should contact CPD at 994-825.

Lake County Record Bee

Philly men charged with police impersonation www.privateofficer.com

Philadelphia PA Dec 9 2012 Two of three men accused of impersonating police officers in two separate incidents Wednesday night were caught as the search continued Thursday for the remaining suspect.

Julian Collins, 22, of Welsh Road in Northeast Philadelphia was charged with impersonating a police officer and possessing an instrument of crime after being arrested Wednesday night outside the 7-Eleven on the 9000 block of Frankford Avenue.

Police say Collins was in a silver Toyota Camry with a strobe light on the dash, when he stopped a car in the parking lot. Collins went up to the victim and flashed a gold badge, police said.

At the same time, two plain clothes cops in an unmarked car drove by and saw the whole incident. Collins was taken into custody. His bail was set at $10,000, according to court records.

Authorities tell NBC10 that wasn’t the first time Wednesday night that somebody impersonated a police officer in the city. Investigators say two armed men posed as cops in the Holmesburg section of the city about a half hour before Collins’ arrest.

They say the duo stopped three men in a pickup truck on the 4300 block of McMenamy Street. The victims were handcuffed, and police say there was a brief struggle. One of the victims broke his arm and was taken to Aria-Torresdale Hospital.

One of the men allegedly involved in that second incident was arrested Thursday. Police say Michael Green, 30, of Michener Street in Northeast Philadelphia is one of the impostors. But police say that his alleged accomplice made off in a 2005 Chevy Silverado with Pa. plates ZCC0060.

Police do not believe the two crimes are related.

Neighbors in the area are urging others to be aware of who’s stopping you before you pull over.

“They have numbers on their car and that’s a way to find out who’s phony and who’s real,” said Patrick Chianti.

If you have any information on the impersonators, please contact Philadelphia Police.

Source:NBC Philadelphia

Bernalillo County man impersonated a police officer during road rage www.privateofficer.com

Bernalillo County NM Nov 22 2012    Sheriff deputies said a man’s road rage was so bad he pretended to be a police officer and threatened to shoot a driver.

Deputies arrested 29-year-old Skyler Smith near Edith and Montano Tuesday evening.

Authorities said a woman called 9-1-1 and told them Smith said, “I’m APD. Pull over, I’m going to shoot you.” The woman said Smith waved a radio at her.

Deputies caught up with Smith a short time later and found a radio in his car but did not find a badge or gun.

soure-kob.com

Rutland man charged with impersonating security officer www.privateofficer.com

 

Rutland VT Nov 21 2012 A Sheldon Place man, who is already facing multiple charges of impersonating a police officer, is now facing charges that he interceded in a street fight on Merchants Row on Saturday, pointed a BB gun at a man and claimed to be from “security.”

Eric W. Turco, 22, of Rutland, was arraigned in Rutland criminal court on Monday on a felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct. He pleaded innocent to the charges and was ordered held on $10,000 bail.

In an affidavit, Officer Kenneth Mosher of the Rutland Police Department said police were dispatched to the area of Center Street at Merchants Row around 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

While there, police took Turco into custody and recovered the pistol, later identified as a .177 caliber BB gun, according to Mosher.

An employee of Clem’s, Nicholaus J. Waldron, told police he and another employee, Adam J. Rathbun, were outside Clem’s and Company when they saw two young men, later identified in the affidavit as Samuel Ritchie, 17, and Dana Roones, 18, knock over a trashcan.

The employees yelled to the teenagers to pick up the trashcan but instead a fight ensued, Waldron told police.

Waldron said he and Rathbun were attempting to hold the teenagers for police when Turco pointed a gun at the back of his head and claimed he was “security.” Waldron added, “Which to me, made no sense.”

Waldron said Rathbun was able to force the gun away from Turco and “tossed it away.”

After Turco was taken into custody, he told police he was walking around the Rutland ShoppingPlaza, looking for discarded cigarette butts to smoke, when he came across the men fighting.

Mosher said Turco told him he tried to break up the fight “because I don’t like confrontation as much as the next person.”

Turco said he had the BB gun which he wears while working at a local consignment shop and said the gun is “mostly for show.”

In July, charges were filed against Turco after he was accused of posing as both a Vermont State Police trooper and a U.S. marshal at local businesses. At that time, police said there was also a warrant for Turco based on an allegation that he impersonated a Bellows Falls police officer.

According to police, Turco carried handcuffs and a toy star-shaped badge as proof he was a law-enforcement officer.

Mosher said he believed Turco had violated a condition of his release from his arrest over the summer that he not carry any items, like badges, that would identify him as a law-enforcement officer but that was not one of the charges for which Turco was arraigned on Monday.

Mosher said Ritchie and Roones were later arrested and are expected to be arraigned Dec. 24.

source-rutland.com

Man impersonated federal officer to get into Epcot for free www.privateofficer.com

Orlando Fla Nov 7 2012 A 74-year-old Miami man who was trying to avoid paying nearly $100 to get into Epcot, was arrested after he impersonated a Federal officer.

Emerito Pujol flashed a fake badge at an Epcot employee as he passed through the turnstiles at the park around noon on Saturday. The employee challenged him and asked to see the badge again. He claimed he was an undercover officer who was looking for someone, according to an arrest report.

When a security guard approached him, Pujol again claimed he was “in service” and was “guarding someone important,” the report states.

Pujol finally admitted he was pretending to be a federal officer when a deputy asked him to produce the badge.

The badge Pujol flashed had the words “American Federation of Police” and “honorary member.” He then admitted that he was just waiting for his family and was not an officer.

Pujol was arrested and charged with unlawful use of a police badge, falsely impersonating an officer and petty theft. He has since bonded out of the Orange County Jail.

source-Orlando Sentinel

Men Impersonating Police Officers Steal Gaming Machines www.privateofficer.com

Wichita KS Nov 3 2012  Police are searching for two men who posed as police officers and stole gambling arcade games from a convenience store.

Officers were called to the Stop & Shop store in the 1800 block of West 13th Wednesday afternoon.

A man showed the clerk a badge and paperwork claiming he was a police officer in plain clothes and was there to seize gambling-type arcade games.

“”He gave me a three page letter,” said clerk Bhaumik Baten. “I was reading and it said to sign and print name. I said just a minute so I can call my manager and owner and machine owner.”

A second man then entered the store and loaded the games onto a truck. The men ordered the clerk to not call 911 until they were gone.

At a news briefing, police said they would not be involved in game seizure and they want other businesses to be aware of what happened.

“If they have done this to one store, it’s possible they might do it again,” said Lieutenant Doug Nolte. “We certainly want to put the word out to not hesitate to call 911 and have officers stop by.”

The real owner of the machines tell us they’re worth about $5,000 each.

source-kake.com