Man Steals Phone As Fake Police Officer In Garden City Park: Cops

GARDEN CITY PARK, NY — A Garden City Park man was arrested on Thursday morning after impersonating a police officer in the same neighborhood.

A 44-year-old woman was walking on 4th Street at 9 a.m., when Alif Chowdhury, 33, flashed what appeared to be a badge and said he was a police officer, authorities said.

Chowdhury began to yell at the victim before grabbing the woman's phone. At that point, he attempted to restrain her, police said.

The victim was able to flee and contact police. She was not injured.

An investigation led to Chowdhury being arrested at his home without further incident. He is charged with third-degree robbery and first-degree criminal possession of a police officer. He was expected to be arraigned on Friday.