Nassau Man Pretended To Be Cop, Threatened Man With Gun: Police

EAST MEADOW, NY — An East Meadow man was arrested after he lied about being a police officer and threatened a neighbor with a gun, police say.

According to police, 71-year-old Joseph Nesto, of Franklin Avenue, got into an argument with a neighbor at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. During the argument, police say that Nesto told his neighbor that he was a police officer, then lifted his shirt to show a handgun that he had in his waistband.

The neighbor asked Nesto to show police identification, and Nesto left the scene, police said. The neighbor, a 35-year-old man, called 911.

Nassau County police arrived and investigated. Nesto is a valid Nassau County pistol license "Target/Hunting" permit holder. Police say he was placed under arrest without incident.

Nesto is charged with second-degree menacing, second-degree criminal impersonation and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is scheduled to be arraigned later today.