Westerville man impersonating an officer pulls man over in front of real cops

Dean Narciso, Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·2 min read
15

A Westerville man has been charged with impersonating a police officer after he used his sport utility vehicle, modified to look like a police vehicle, to stop a motorist and then flag down a Columbus police officer.

Brendan Conklin
Brendan Conklin

Westerville Division of Police charged Brendan Conklin, 43, with impersonation, in addition to unlawful restraint. Both charges are misdemeanors, but additional potential felony charges are pending based on similar stops by Conklin.

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Police say Conklin was arrested Jan. 21 following the unlawful traffic stop in a black SUV equipped with lights and a siren, mobile display terminal, dash cam and a mounted shotgun.

"It was better equipped than some police cruisers I've seen," said Westerville police Lt. Justin Alloway.

According to police, Conklin pulled the motorist over for erratic driving. After a Columbus officer stopped to help, Conklin displayed a badge and described himself as being “off-duty,” Alloway said. "That implies that he's an officer."

A Westerville officer also stopped to help. During their conversation, the real officers became suspicious of Conklin's ID and vehicle, but they allowed him to leave while they focused on what they believed to be an impaired driver.

The driver wasn't impaired.

Police later learned that Conklin’s vehicle is registered in his name to the nonprofit organization Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Program (OFAP). Conklin had listed the association’s address as 120 Marconi Blvd., which is Columbus Division of Police headquarters.

The OFAP website states its goal as "the pursuit, location, and apprehension of individuals who have evaded the judicial process ... within the framework of legal and regulatory guidelines to ensure the safe and effective apprehension of fugitives."

Conklin was released on a recognizance bond. His pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Feb. 6 in Franklin County Municipal Court.

Westerville is asking others who may have been stopped by Conklin to call their tip line at (614) 901-6866 or call the non-emergency line at (614) 882-7444.

dnarciso@dispatch.com

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Westerville man uses HQ of CPD as his address after bogus traffic stop