The Kalamazoo Gazette
Related: Protecting the public from LE impersonators
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — He had three badges, a holstered BB gun, handcuffs and a hat embroidered with the letters “FBI.”
Inside the 53-year-old Kalamazoo man’s blue Ford Aspire subcompact — equipped with switch-activated flashing lights — was a red, rotating light for the roof, Kalamazoo Township police say. Investigators say the man was well-equipped to impersonate a police officer.
Officers found the man with all his policelike gear at about 10:10 p.m. Tuesday in the 3000 block of North Pitcher Street after receiving a call about a suspicious person, township police said.
Investigators found vegetables on the man they suspect had been taken from Kalamazoo County’s Solar Garden, in the 2700 block of North Pitcher Street, Township Police Chief Tim Bourgeois said.
Bourgeois said the man was taken in for questioning about possession of the vegetables and the police-related items.
He was later released. Bourgeois said officers are investigating to determine if charges are warranted.
Police did not release the man’s name but are asking anyone who may have had contact with him, including instances in which he may have been impersonating a police officer, to call the Kalamazoo Township Police Department at (269) 567-7523 or Silent Observer at (269) 343-2100.
The suspect was described by police as a white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall and 220 pounds with a heavy build. Bourgeois said the man is balding, with gray hair and blue eyes.
Copyright 2007 The Kalamazoo Gazette