A Maryland man has been arrested for impersonating a police officer and conducting a false traffic stop where he was charged with displaying a badge and brandishing a gun.
Carl Colston, 47, is accused of pulling over a victim on July 8 in Greenbelt, Maryland, officials said.
He has now been charged with carrying a gun, having a gun in a vehicle and impersonating police, all of which are misdemeanors.
Investigators say Mr Colston drove up behind the victim, honked his Crown Victoria vehicle and flashed its white interior lights.
When the victim signaled the suspect to pass him, police said Mr Colston went ahead of him and blocked the roadway, forcing the victim to pull over.
Police say the suspect then donned a Maryland Marshals tactical vest, flashed a badge and called for backup using a portable radio.
He is also accused of brandishing a black gun, although he did not aim it at the victim.
“The victim reported grabbing a tactical vest, putting it on, showing a badge, stating he was the police and calling for help while speaking into a portable radio. Colston then grabbed a black pistol and did not point it at the victim. but lifted it so it was visible to the victim,” Greenbelt police said in a statement.
When the victim told Mr Colston he was recording the incident and called police, he reportedly got back into his car and drove off.
The suspect was arrested a few days later during a traffic check.
