Police: NYC man impersonated cop, pulled over drivers in Montauk
Krishna Parihar, 24, was charged with first-degree criminal impersonation, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of ammunition feeding devices after his arrest by East Hampton Town Police on Monday, Sept. 5, 2016. Credit: East Hampton Town Police
He identified himself as an NYPD officer.
Instead, a Brooklyn man with flashing emergency lights forcing motorists off the road Monday in Montauk was actually a 24-year-old cellphone salesman and part-time student pretending to be a cop, East Hampton Town Police said.
Krishna Parihar has been charged with first-degree criminal impersonation, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and unlawful possession of ammunition feeding devices. He was scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in East Hampton Town Justice Court.
Police said they pulled Parihar over on Montauk Highway near Upland Road just before 2:30 p.m.
The traffic stop came in response to a 911 caller reporting “a dark colored sedan with red and white flashing lights” whose driver was “forcing vehicles from the roadway,” police said.
During the stop, police said Parihar identified himself as an NYPD officer and he wore “an imitation New York City Police badge.”
Police said he also had an empty holster on his belt, adding that he gave officers “conflicting information” when questioned. A loaded 9-mm handgun was recovered during a search of Parihar’s black 2015 Dodge Charger, and police said two loaded magazines were recovered.
Handcuffs, handcuff keys and emergency lights also were recovered from the car, which police said was registered in North Carolina.
Investigators are now asking anyone with information about the incident — or about similar incidents involving Parihar — to call them at 631-537-7575. All calls will be kept 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.”
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.
