Man arrested for impersonating Police Officer at War Fall Festival

WAR, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A man from Cucumber, WV, was arrested for impersonating a police officer at the War Fall Festival in McDowell County, West Virginia, on Friday, September 2024.

According to the report, a corporal and Deputy B.A. Rode was conducting foot patrol at the festival when they were approached by an individual who claimed to be a police officer from Saint Paul, Virginia.

The man introduced himself, shook the corporal’s hand, and discussed various aspects of the Saint Paul Police Department, including their pursuit policy, new Dodge Charger vehicles, and how he carried his taser and BolaWrap . He also recounted an incident where he claimed to have been stabbed while apprehending a suspect at a DUI checkpoint. To support his claims, the man showed the officers photographs on his phone, allegedly depicting him in a police uniform and arresting individuals.

The man further stated that he was also employed by Jan-Care in West Virginia and mentioned plans to visit a nearby casino.

After becoming suspicious, the corporal contacted the Saint Paul Police Department , where dispatch confirmed that the man was not employed as an officer. Upon re-approaching the individual and confronting him about his claims, the man began to backtrack from his statements.

The suspect was subsequently placed under arrest for impersonating a law enforcement officer and transported to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office for processing. The incident took place within the corporate limits of War, West Virginia, and remains under investigation.