Mitchell Robi, of Queens, charged with impersonating undercover police officer at Elmont gas station
He approached a man at an Elmont gas station, identified himself as an off-duty undercover police officer, then began to search the man's pockets and car, Nassau County police said.
Now, Mitchell Robi, 32, of Little Neck, Queens, is under arrest — charged with second-degree criminal impersonation — after real police officers determined his stunt was a charade.
Nassau County police said the incident at the Mobile gas station on Hempstead Turnpike occurred at about 10:30 p.m. March 17.
It was then, police said, that Robi approached a 25-year-old man, saying he was an off-duty undercover officer. Police said Robi searched the victim's sweatshirt and pants pockets, and opened the door of the victim's car, moving around items on the floor. Police said when the victim demanded to see identification, Robi fled in a red Nissan Altima.
An investigation led to the arrest of Robi Tuesday night. He was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday in First District Court in Hempstead. It was not immediately clear if Robi is represented by counsel.
Police are asking anyone who believes they may be a victim of a similar incident to call Fifth Squad detectives at 516-573-6553 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.
All calls will remain confidential.
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
