Cop Impersonator Gave Kids $20, Football, Advice: Police

PONTIAC, MI — A man who falsely represented himself as a police officer gave a football and a $20 bill to two children playing basketball in Pontiac Saturday afternoon, and then talked to them about the importance of remaining in school in what authorities described Thursday as a “stranger danger incident.”

The children, both under the age of 10, were playing basketball on the Alcott Elementary School playground at 460 W. Kennett. An adult female who was watching over the children called police after the the white male in a black Kia SUV approached them, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

After telling the boys he “was a cop,” the man claimed to be a SWAT officer, according to the statement. The children reported seeing a badge hanging around the man’s neck and a silver revolver with a black handle on his lap.

He left the area after speaking with the children, the sheriff’s office said.

“The safety of our children is our number one priority and if there is an individual misrepresenting himself as law enforcement, it brings us great concern,” Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard said in the statement. “If the public has any information leading to the whereabouts of this suspect, we ask that you contact the Sheriff’s Office immediately.”

The suspect is described as a clean-shaven white male with a medium complexion and brown hair. He has tattoos of words or writing on his arms, the children said, and was wearing all black clothing and a black baseball cap which had ‘SRT’ written on it in silver lettering.

Anyone with information about this incident or suspect, please call the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office tip line at (888) TURN-1-IN. Tips may be offered anonymously.

» Photos courtesy of Oakland County Sheriff’s Office show the type of vehicle suspect may drive.