Coram Man Arrested for Impersonating a Police Officer
Coram, NY - April 13th, 2014 - Suffolk County Police arrested a Coram man last night for pretending to be a police officer and utilizing equipment that is intended for identifying police officers and their vehicles.
Sixth Precinct Police Officer John Bokinz was on routine patrol at 8:27 p.m. when he observed a man performing an apparent traffic stop on an unidentified vehicle on Coram-Mt. Sinai Road near West Denis Lane in Coram.
Thomas O’Connor, 42, was driving a gray 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee with New York license plate number CMF7669. The vehicle had red and white flashing lights on the dashboard. O’Connor was wearing a black shirt with the words “Police K9 Unit” in white letters, a gold Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms shield on a chain around his neck and a black police duty belt that was equipped with a black pellet gun, flashlight, handcuffs and a police scanner.
O’Connor, 42, of 4 Teele Drive, Coram was arrested and charged with Criminal Impersonation 2nd Degree: Public Servant, Unauthorized use of Colored Lights on a Vehicle and Unauthorized Use of a Police Receiver. He is being held at the Sixth Precinct and is scheduled to be arraigned today at First District Court in Central Islip.
The investigation is continuing and police are asking anyone who has had a similar encounter to contact the Sixth Precinct Crime Control Unit at 631-854-8627 or 854-8600.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Incident:
Location: Intersection of Coram-Mt. Sinai Road and West Denis Lane, Coram
Date/Time: Saturday, April 12, 2014 at 8:27 p.m.