A fake cop trying to pull over a van packed with actual real detectives seems like a hysterical premise. You may think it sounds like a movie plot or comedic fiction, but it is very much real life. I read the headline and thought of a Peter Sellers’ movie from the 1960s, The Wrong Arm of the Law (1963). In the film, a gang of criminals pretends to be police in order to carry out burglaries. However, this is no fiction.
According to the Nassau County Police Department, a Hicksville, NY man was driving a black unidentified car when he sounded an air horn and activated his emergency lights. The man tried to pull over a van. In true Peter Sellers fashion, the van was chock-full of Nassau County Detectives.
A Non-Fiction Fast Finish for the Fake Cop
The Nassau detectives identified themselves while stopped in traffic and approached the van. This is where things take an even more ‘Hollywood-turn’ as the Fake Cop panicked and swerved into oncoming traffic. He continued and refused to stop. The Fake Cop continued to drive at a ‘high rate of speed’ onto the Long Island Expressway.
Finally, Nassau County Highway Patrol officers were notified and soon spotted the fleeing vehicle. They initiated a traffic stop and successfully apprehended the Fake Cop, Valiery Portlock, Age 25. Portlock was charged with Criminal Impersonation 1st degree, Reckless Endangerment 2nd degree, Unlawful Fleeing from a Police Officer, as well as multiple VTL Violations (other Moving Vehicle Violations).