Police: Man impersonated cop in traffic stop

A West Hempstead man who police said followed and stopped a woman driving her car in Great Neck, flashing a mini-badge and claiming to be an officer, was arrested Wednesday -- and charged with criminal impersonation.

Steven Kleiman, 58, of 125 Hempstead Gardens, was arraigned Thursday in First District Court in Hempstead on the charge of first-degree criminal impersonation, Nassau County police said.

Kleiman was ordered held on $2,000 bond or bail.

Police said Kleiman, driving a dark-colored vehicle, followed a 43-year-old woman as she drove along Grace Avenue in Great Neck at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, honking his horn and tailgating her.

Moments later police said the woman pulled to the side of the road on nearby Stoner Avenue -- at which time, police said, Kleiman cut in front of her, "blocking her ability to pull away." Police said Kleiman then exited his vehicle, approached the woman, displayed "a police mini-shield" and identified himself as a police officer, saying she had committed "several" vehicle and traffic law violations.

Kleiman was then seen entering the building at 40 Stoner Ave., where police said he was arrested without incident.

No injuries were reported.