Man Impersonating Police Officer Arrested, Faces 10 Charges

JOPPATOWNE, MD — A man pretending to be a law enforcement officer has been arrested by Harford County sheriff's deputies.

On April 30, deputies assigned to the Southern Precinct of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office saw a vehicle with red and blue emergency lights. Deputies stopped the driver who told officers he, too, was a police officer and showed them what appeared to be official credentials, the sheriff's office stated.

However, the deputies suspected something wasn't adding up and after checking with the Maryland State Police, it was confirmed that the man wasn't a sworn law enforcement officer in Maryland.

Detectives obtained search warrants and coordinated surveillance efforts. On May 1 with the help of the HCSO Crime Suppression Unit, HCSO Special Operations Division and Maryland State Police, deputies tracked down 56-year-old Robert Dicocco and arrested him. He was taken to the Harford County Detention Center without incident, the sheriff's office stated.

During the execution of search warrants, investigators recovered additional evidence, including a fraudulent identification card, law enforcement-style badges and clothing.

Dicocco has been charged with 10 counts related to impersonating a police officer and was later released on a $10,000 unsecured bond.

The investigation is active and ongoing. Deputies ask that anyone who may have been stopped, approached or otherwise contacted by Dicocco while he was claiming to be a law enforcement officer, or under similar circumstances, contact Sergeant Majewski with the special operations division at 443-567-7086.