Fake Cop, Real Trouble: Armed Impersonator Arrested After Joining Police Convoy
Image credit to New Zealand Herald
By Lions Roar News Crime Desk
KAWAKAWA, NORTHLAND – A disqualified driver in Northland has found himself in a world of legal trouble after an audacious attempt to play “cop” went spectacularly wrong. The 30-year-old man was arrested last Thursday evening after he attempted to join a genuine police convoy while driving a vehicle rigged with illegal emergency lights.
What began as a bizarre case of impersonation quickly escalated into a serious criminal investigation when real officers discovered the vehicle was essentially a mobile arsenal.
🚨 The Convoy “Crash”
The incident unfolded outside the Kawakawa Police Station when a Holden Commodore, equipped with flashing red and blue lights, “slid” into a line of actual patrol cars.
While the driver may have hoped to blend in, the move immediately drew the suspicion of Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong and his team. A quick registration check revealed a glaring red flag: the owner of the Commodore was currently disqualified from driving.
When the real police signaled the “copycat” to pull over, they uncovered a much more dangerous situation than a simple traffic violation.
🔫 A Loaded Discovery
Upon searching the vehicle, officers were stunned by what was hidden beneath the driver’s seat. The haul included:
- A loaded firearm (found directly under the seat).
- A 3D-printed gun, a highly illegal and untraceable “ghost gun.”
- A stash of ammunition.
- Methamphetamine.
“It was quite the unexpected find,” Senior Sergeant Armstrong remarked. “Our team is extremely pleased to be able to remove these items from our community and hold this offender to account.”
The 30-year-old is scheduled to appear in the Kaikohe District Court on January 20, facing a laundry list of charges including impersonating a police officer, unlawful possession of a restricted weapon, driving while disqualified, and possession of methamphetamine.
🌀 A Bizarre Trend in Auckland
The Northland arrest was not the only case of “fake cop” syndrome this week. In South Auckland, Counties Manukau Police reported a similarly “perplexing” encounter.
On Saturday, a 38-year-old man in a station wagon began flashing red and blue lights at an unmarked police car, essentially trying to pull over actual undercover officers.
When the impersonator realized his mistake, he attempted to flee but was quickly caught. Officers found he was driving at twice the legal breath-alcohol limit. He is due in the Manukau District Court on Christmas Eve.
