A vigilante impersonating an NYPD detective attempted to apprehend a family for fare evasion in Lower Manhattan recently, resorting to pepper-spraying a man who refused to comply, according to police reports.
The imposter brandished a detective shield around his neck as he confronted the family trying to access the Whitehall Street-South Ferry R train station through an open exit gate at approximately 6:35 p.m. on a Sunday, as per law enforcement officials.
“I’m a detective with NYPD,” the perpetrator asserted, as reported by the police.
A 46-year-old man within the family group attempted to walk away from the fake officer, who then discharged pepper spray towards the back of his head, authorities disclosed.
The vigilante subsequently boarded a northbound R train, traveling a few stops to 8th Street-NYU, where he was captured on surveillance cameras, according to the police.
Meanwhile, the victim was privately transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he received treatment and was subsequently discharged.
The suspect was last observed sporting torn denim shorts, a black and yellow T-shirt, a yellow hat, and an NYPD Detective Shield with the number 694, suspended from a chain around his neck.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or in Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Individuals can also submit tips via the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.
