KENNER, La. — A 45-year-old Mississippi man found himself behind bars on Wednesday night after allegedly impersonating a police officer and trying to conduct a traffic stop on a real detective, according to WWL Louisiana media partner Nola.com.
Michelle Hunter first reported the story on Thursday afternoon.
According to Hunter, William Gilchrist, of Greenville, has been booked with the following:
- false personation of a police officer
- possession of fraudulent identification
- improper lighting
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office told Nola.com the arrest happened after 5:30 p.m. when the suspect activated blue and white flashing lights attached to the front and rear of his vehicle while attempting to stop the detective while driving an unmarked JPSO vehicle on Airport Access Road in Kenner.
Nola.com reports that under Louisiana law, only law enforcement officers can use blue lights on vehicles.
When the fake cop passed the pulled-over detective with a flash of lights and siren alert, the detective allegedly pulled behind the suspect's Chevrolet truck which was also fitted with "State Police Fugitive Task Force" license plate trim.
Once stopped, Gilchrist reportedly handed the detective a fake U.S. Marshals Service ID card and falsely identified himself as a "deputy."
Gilchrist has been booked in the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna without bail on the counterfeit identification charge.
Bail was set at $650 on the other charges.
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