Boston Man Charged With Impersonating Police Officer

An East Boston man was arraigned last week on charges he broke into a Trenton Street apartment, then falsely claimed to the resident that he was a police officer, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

Ralph Gaskell, 63, was arraigned in East Boston Municipal Court on charges of breaking and entering into a building during the daytime with intent to commit a felony and impersonating a police officer. Judge John McDonald set Gaskell’s bail at $2,500, according to Conley.

According to prosecutors, Gaskell made his way into a Trenton Street building and went door-to-door claiming to solicit donations for the Boston Police Department shortly before 9:45 a.m. Tuesday.

After receiving a donation from one resident, he allegedly forced his way into a locked apartment. The resident returned minutes later to discover Gaskell inside the apartment holding a Market Basket shopping bag that contained several of the victim’s belongings, prosecutors said.

When confronted, Gaskell allegedly told the victim that he was a Boston Police officer, prosecutors said. The victim restrained Gaskell and shouted to neighbors for help, prompting a call to the real Boston Police.

Responding officers located Gaskell, who was known to police, outside the building. His wallet and cell phone were discovered on the apartment’s staircase, where Gaskell apparently lost them while being restrained by the victim.

The victim directed officers to the shopping bag Gaskell was seen carrying in the apartment. Inside officers found the victim’s cell phone and wallet, a container of change, and a jewelry box containing items belonging to the victim’s girlfriend, all of which had been taken from the victim’s apartment, prosecutors said.

Gaskell is due back in court on Nov. 13.