Suffolk Man Impersonated Cop To Receive Store Discount: DA

BRENTWOOD, NY — A Brentwood man pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday, to impersonating a police officer to receive a discount while shopping and to possessing multiple fraudulent NYPD identification cards, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced.

From April 1 to May 31, Eric Diaz, 43, identified himself as a police officer and displayed what appeared to be a police badge, handcuffs, and handgun while attempting to obtain a "police discount" at a retail store in Bay Shore, according to the investigation and the defendant’s admissions during his guilty plea allocution.

When Diaz was later stopped by police, he was found to be in possession of a holstered electronic stun gun and multiple fraudulent law enforcement identification cards, including a fake NYPD Sergeant identification card.

Pursuant to subsequent searches of Diaz’s vehicle and home, police recovered numerous fraudulent items of police attire, imitation pistols, a gun belt, a bulletproof vest, and handcuffs, prosecutors said.

"This defendant wrongfully impersonated a police officer," said Tierney. "My office supports the men and women in law enforcement, and we are committed to holding accountable those who would attempt to wrongfully benefit from the public service of our sworn law enforcement members."

On Aug. 15, Diaz was arrested by Detective Charles Gambino of the Suffolk County Police Department’s District Attorney’s Squad. Following his arraignment on the arrest, Diaz was ordered to be held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $1,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case.

Diaz pleaded guilty, before Supreme Court Justice Richard Ambro, to second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, prosecutors said.

He is due back in court on Nov. 13, and is expected to be sentenced to two to four years in prison.

Patch reached out to the Legal Aid Society, who is representing Diaz, for comment.