LI Man Busted After Showing Fake Police ID, Impersonating Officer: PD

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A Mastic Beach man was arrested after he was stopped on County Road 39 in Southampton and tried to impersonate a police officer, authorities said.

According to Southampton Town police, officers stopped a driver on Thursday after witnessing several vehicle and traffic law violations.

Brian Garcia, 56, was asked for identification and presented a police shield, stating he was currently employed by the Suffolk County Police Department; he later presented a police identification card, authorities said.

Further investigation revealed that Garcia is not currently employed by Suffolk police and the ID card presented was a fake, police said.

Garcia was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal impersonation, impersonating a police officer, a felony; second-degree criminal impersonation, a misdemeanor; and second-degree possession of a forged instrument, a felony, police said.

He was transported to Southampton Town police headquarters for processing, where he was held for morning arraignment, police said.