Brick police took an alleged police impersonator off the street, and are asking victims to come forward.
On Saturday evening, February 1st, police responded to the Wawa located at 595 Brick Blvd. in response to a reported suspicious incident. A female victim reported that a white male driving a dark silver pickup truck followed her into the Wawa parking lot and activated blue and red emergency lights.
The male subject approached the victim and told her that he was an off-duty police officer.
Suspecting that the driver of the pickup was impersonating an officer, the victim went inside the Wawa and advised the staff. The male subject continued to linger around the victim’s parked vehicle, speaking into what appeared to be a small two-way radio.
The victim then exited the store at which time the male advised her that he was a retired police officer and that he was calling for backup. The victim responded that she would call 9-1-1, at which point the suspect got back into the pickup and drove away.
The story circulated on social media which led to the discovery of a second victim. In that case, on the same day the victim was approached by the suspect who pulled the victim over on Barberry Lane in Brick. Police continued to follow leads provided by both victims which subsequently resulted in the identification and arrest of the perpetrator, 56 year old Kenneth Murphy of Brick.
Officers Scott Smith, Ryan Wynn, Carissa Pagnotta and Sgt. Jason Shepherd responded to the suspect’s residence where Murphy was taken into custody and charged with two counts of Impersonating a police officer. Murphy’s pickup was also seized for having been used in the crime.
Anyone who was approached in this manner who has not yet alerted authorities is encouraged to contact Detective Bob Shepherd at 732-262-1121.
My Daughter has been driving for about 5 yrs now.
She knows if something similar happens to her she should NOT Pull Over but Proceed to a Well Lit, Populated Area, ie, Has Station, Shopping Center etc.
Once there she should call 911 and explain. Never ever roll down the window of exit the vehicle.
Gratefully she’s a!so
always owned a car with a button that allows her to, via the Vehicle’s Mfg., To Instantly be put in touch with emergency services.