Man Impersonates Cop, Takes Donations for Sick Kids

Police are on the lookout — and want you to be, too — for a cop impersonator they say is approaching small businesses and asking for donations.

So far, he’s targeted at least three businesses in Brooklyn and the Bronx.

“Suspect enters commercial establishments, identifies himself as Sgt. Russo from the NYPD and requests a donation for sick children of police officers,” the NYPD says.

In the first incident, on the afternoon of April 24, he pulled the stunt at Bagelsmith in Williamsburg. The other two incidents were in the Bronx, at Salsa Con Fuego Restaurant and Caridad Restaurant.

The NYPD’s prime suspect is 43-year-old Richard Gomez (pictured above).

If you have info on the crimes or suspect, you can call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS. You can also submit tips online via the Crime Stoppers website. To text a tip, send it to 274637 (CRIMES) and then enter TIP577.