Fake Cop Pulls Over Van Full Of Real Detectives

HICKSVILLE, NY – A Nassau County man impersonating a police officer got more than he bargained for when he tried to pull over a van Friday morning in Hicksville. The van was full of real detectives, police said.

According to Nassau Police, 25-year-old Valiery Portlock was driving a black Nissan Sentra in the vicinity of Roosevelt Avenue at 11 a.m. when he when he activated his air horn and emergency lights in an attempt to pull over a van.

The van was occupied by Nassau County Electronics Squad detectives. The detectives, while stopped in traffic, identified themselves and approached the Portlock's vehicle, police said.

Portlock, of Hicksville, fled the scene, swerved into oncoming traffic and refused to stop, police said.

Portlock continued to drive at a high rate of speed onto the Long Island Expressway, police said.

Highway Patrol officers were notified and soon spotted Portlock, who they placed under arrest without incident after initiating a traffic stop, police said.

Portlock was charged with first degree criminal impersonation, second degree reckless endangerment and unlawful fleeing from a police officer. He was released on his own recognizance after being arraigned Saturday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Portlock was seemingly unlucky in running into actual police officers, but in May, while investigating an incident at an Oceanside 7-Eleven, Nassau Police say detectives were approached by impersonator 55-year-old Frank Zenon, who identified himself as an NYPD detective.

Police soon discovered Zenon had an open warrant in New Jersey and he was subsequently arrested at his Baldwin home where police say they found two NYPD detective shields.