Alleged Police Impersonator Arrested In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township man has been charged with impersonating a police officer following an incident where police allege he followed a woman in what appeared to be an unmarked police car on Sunday.

Salvatore C. Giglio, 51, was arrested Tuesday at his home in Pine Acres Manor, Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said, and his car, a gray 2005 Ford Taurus, was seized as evidence. Malland said he additionally was charge with possession of pepper spray in excess of the legal limit.

A township resident called police Sunday evening to report she'd been followed by a car that appeared to be an unmarked police car. The car had followed her after she left her home in the Beckerville section and flashed red and blue lights in what she believed to be an attempt to pull her over. The woman told police she was suspicious because the car did not appear to be a traditional police car.

She was able to take a picture of the car while she was stopped at a traffic light, Malland said.

"Based on the statement of the resident and the photograph that was taken, it was quickly determined that this vehicle did not belong to the Manchester Township Police Department," he said.

Malland said the police department's posting of the photo and the incident on social media generated a number of tips that led to Giglio, and further investigation led to additional information that placed Giglio and his car in the area of the initial incident.

Investigators went to Giglio's home on Tuesday and "despite the fact that the vehicle’s appearance had been altered since the photograph had been taken, specifically, the front grill lights and metal window shield had been removed, detectives were able to positively identify that Giglio’s vehicle had been involved in the incident from October 21st," he said.

Giglio was charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer, possession of a personal self-defense chemical agent (OC spray) in excess of the legal limit, destruction of evidence, and various motor vehicle offenses. The vehicle involved in the incident was seized as evidence of the crime, Malland said.

Anyone who experienced a similar incident is encouraged to contact Detective Sergeant Christopher Hemhauser at 732-657-2009, ext. 4207.

Malland again reminded residents of what they can do if they encounter an unmarked police car that tries to pull them over.

"Unmarked police cars have the same authorization to stop a vehicle as a fully marked patrol car so, to that end, you must pull over when being signaled to do so," he said. "However, should you have any doubts as to the validity of an unmarked car, you should immediately contact the police department in the jurisdiction where you are being stopped."

The department offered the following safety tips for those concerned about the validity of the vehicle that is pulling them over:

• If you are being pulled over by an unmarked or questionable police vehicle, and you are not sure of its authenticity, you can call the local police department and ask them to verify the matter.
• If you are being pulled over by an unmarked car in a dark or desolate area, you should gesture politely with your hand and proceed carefully to a safe, well-lit area.
• If you are approached by a non-uniformed officer from an unmarked car, keep your hands where they can be seen and politely ask the officer for I.D. other than a badge or request that a supervisor or a uniformed officer be called to the location.
• If you have someone with you that can take a photograph of the vehicle or license plate, or you can do it safely, it can be helpful.
• Although cases involving police impersonators are generally rare, you should always be diligent, attentive and aware of your surroundings when being signed to stop by an unmarked vehicle.

"As always, we would like to thank our residents for their assistance in helping us identify the suspect vehicle," Malland said.

Residents are reminded that tips can be reported to the department anonymously at 732-657-6111 or online via the department’s website at www.manchesterpolicenj.com

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Photo provided by Manchester Township Police