Cops: Robbery victim was fake NYPD cop

By JOSEPH MALLIA

The victim of a robbery that took place Sunday night in West Hempstead ended up himself being accused of a crime by Nassau police, who say he claimed to be an off-duty New York City Transit police officer.

Latron Washington, of 4 East 107th St., Manhattan, was charged with criminal impersonation after being interviewed by Nassau police as the victim of a 2:17 a.m. robbery at 514 Hempstead Tpke.

The officers became suspicious after he made inconsistent statements, police said.

A search of his car turned up an NYPD duty jacket and liner with a stun gun in the pocket, an NYPD uniform shirt and a scanner radio, police said. He wore a bulletproof vest and a duty belt with an empty gun holster and handcuff case, police said.

He was also charged with possession of a dangerous weapon and making a false written statement. He was released on an appearance ticket returnable to First District Court, Hempstead.

By BY JOSEPH MALLIA
Posted Monday, August 31, 2009

 E-mail this page
 Printer-friendly page