Fake Cops Shoot Brooklyn Man

A Sheepshead Bay resident was shot in his home by men pretending to be cops. The Post reports that it was an "apparent home invasion robbery" that took place around 10PM on East 15th Street.

Police say that when the victim was opening the door for a relative, a trio forced their way in. They said they were cops and had badges and were wearing bulletproof vests, but not uniforms. WABC 7 reports that the men "grabbed the victims safe" and "during a scuffle," the victim was shot. The robbers left with the safe, but ended up dropping it.

A responding officer managed to capture one of the suspects. The police are still looking for the other two. And the victim is in stable condition at Kings County Hospital.

Do any readers have any suggestions about questions one can ask to make sure a police officer is real?

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on May 18, 2007 8:37 AM

Comments [rss]

floyd alwon

ask for their shield number

Ramble

Yeah, if memory serves, the bad guy was actually wearing McClane's friend's badge, and McClane had already recognized it when he asked about the lottery numbers. The actual question was "small talk"/a cue for the audience.

JoeBoy

Actually Nick, 1 shot < 50 shots.

JoeBoy

Actually Nick, 1 shot

DaveH

McClane asked the robber about the winning lotto numbers because his cop friend always bet his badge number. When the guy didn't know the numbers, that was McClane's cue to go all Yippee-Kay-Ay on his ass.

entropone

i just generally distrust cops. asking for their name and badge number should work, but unfortunately, the threat of accountability has (in my experience) made cops really upset and angry.

then there were those times i was being ordered to disperse by cops who wouldn't identify themselves.

how do i know those boys in blue (and riot gear) are real cops and not fakers?

good question...

nick

the guy is lucky that this was a fake cop! 1 shot > 50 shots.

matukonyc

Well, since they "forced" themselves in through an already open door (using the badges as a distraction) and they were armed, so there probably isn't much one could do in a situation like that.

Otherwise, one should ask to see a police identification card, which, like a driver's license, has the officer's name and picture.

One can also call 911 and confirm a police officer's identity.

Peter

Do any readers have any suggestions about questions one can ask to make sure a police officer is real?

"Where's the nearest Dunkin' Donuts?"

J.

I believe in one of the Die Hard movies Bruce Willis asks the poseur-cops about the winning lottery numbers from the previous day. Because they don't know, and also probably because of their thick German accents, Willis determines that they are not cops.