CLINTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (Hunterdon County) – Clinton Township police are investigating an incident in which a man pretended to be a police officer.
According to Clinton Township Police Chief Thomas DeRosa, a resident on Haytown Road reported this week that a male, in his 40s, came to his door and identified himself as a police officer, showed a badge and claimed to be investigating illegal purchases of high-end vehicles.
The resident invited the unidentified man into his home and answered his questions before becoming suspicious, DeRosa said.
The incident was reported to this agency at a later time and no further description is available, however, DeRosa believes this was an effort to “case” the residence for a later burglary or motor vehicle theft.
“We would like to remind residents to be wary and exercise caution in these types of encounters. Unfortunately, not everyone who claims to be a police officer and shows a badge is, in fact, an officer. Please have a plan if someone comes to your door and share that plan with everyone in your household,” DeRosa said.
“For example, tell the person at the door that you have to put away the dog and you will be right with them. Then shut the door and call your local police department to verify that one of their officers is at your residence. Our officers are trained to notify dispatch of their location when going to a residence, so if dispatch cannot verify that it is one of our officers, they will send a car to investigate,” DeRosa said.
“Any legitimate police officer, who is at a home for such an investigation, will have no problem with waiting while a resident confirms their identity. Please be aware and be prepared for these types of situations and do not hesitate to call your local police department any time you see suspicious activity or something just doesn’t seem right,” DeRosa said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Clinton Township Police Department at 908-735-6000.
