A man has been apprehended in Sydney’s inner west for allegedly posing as a police officer and extorting $500 from a teenager’s mother.
On Friday afternoon, a 16-year-old boy shopping at a supermarket in Forest Lodge encountered a man claiming to be a police officer. The impersonator purportedly displayed a silver badge contained in a black leather wallet and accused the boy of theft, subsequently leading him to a back office within the supermarket.
Afterward, the boy’s mother arrived at the store, where the man demanded $500 from her. In an attempt to comply, she bought a gift card from the supermarket as requested.
Later that day, the police were notified about the incident and promptly launched an investigation. A 59-year-old man was subsequently arrested and charged with several offences, including the impersonation of a police officer and assault. He has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 23.