BY CHRISTINE ARMARIO
Newsday
A former New York City police officer was behind bars Sunday after he pulled over two civilians while in his darkly tinted Chevrolet TrailBlazer, which he had outfitted with flashing lights, while proclaiming to be from the State Department, Nassau County police said.
Mathew Edelman-Winstead, 25, had resigned from the NYPD on Wednesday to seek higher education, Nassau police said, but just two days later, he was driving through Garden City with his mock police car.
Police said that on Friday evening a motorist apparently cut him off or drove too close to his vehicle on 9th Street and Franklin Avenue. “He felt the need to stop them,” Third Squad Det. Sgt. Michael Williams said.
Edelman-Winstead wasn’t in uniform, but allegedly showed the stopped driver his NYPD badge. A Garden City police officer on patrol became suspicious of Edelman-Winstead’s Chevrolet TrailBlazer because they’re not used by the local police department. The officer interrupted the car stop and asked Edelman-Winstead who he was.
“State Department,” he responded, according to Nassau police.
Upon further prodding, the officer discovered Edelman-Winstead had resigned from the NYPD two days before. Police recovered an identification case with a metal NYPD badge and a photocopy of his former police identification card. Edelman-Winstead was taken into police custody and arraigned Sunday at First District Court in Hempstead, Nassau police said.
Williams said police are investigating whether Edelman-Winstead had unlawfully pulled over other drivers before. Where he obtained the police lights is still under investigation. The driver Edelman-Winstead had pulled over and a passenger were interviewed and then let go. “They were actually victims of a crime,” Third Squad Det. John O’Connor said.
In addition to one count of criminal impersonation of a police officer, authorities said Edelman-Winstead also was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. Police executing a search warrant of his Rockville Centre apartment on Lincoln Avenue found a large amount of assorted prescription drugs, including stimulants, anti-depressants and pain relievers, O’Connor said.
Computers inside the apartment contained records of drug transactions. Numerous medical prescription pads also were recovered. Police said they still are investigating whether the drugs were for personal consumption or for sale.
Edelman-Winstead allegedly had several assault-type weapons, rifles, a stun gun and a shotgun in his apartment as well. The origins of these weapons are under investigation.
Edelman-Winstead’s attorney nor relatives could be reached for comment.
The arrest marks the second time in the past month police have arrested an individual for impersonating a law enforcement official. Suffolk authorities arrested Henry Terry, 24, for allegedly pulling over motorists throughout Long Island and shaking down petty criminals for cash fines.
Copyright 2007 Newsday