Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Saturday, May 24, 2008 Alleged impostor arrested again Police say the truck driver showed a fake badge at a motel while out on bail. By Jackson Holtz Herald Writer ARLINGTON -- Police on Friday re-arrested a long-haul truck driver accused of impersonating a police officer after he allegedly flashed a badge and asked for a discount rate at a motel while out on bail. The man, 51, of Wallace, Idaho, was picked up by Arlington and Lake Stevens police after a friend of the man's tipped off detectives to his location, said Kristin Banfield, an Arlington police spokeswoman. He was arrested without incident. In the man's truck, police found a Washington State Patrol jacket, which he's accused of wearing during crimes. Detectives believe the man has for years worn police uniforms and put a police harness on his German shepherd, "Sweetie," to gain the confidence of doctors in an effort to get prescriptions for narcotics. He's also accused of stealing drugs from pharmacies. The dog was not with the man when he was arrested Friday, Banfield said. The man claimed he was a police officer and a firefighter, according to court documents. The closest the man ever got to law enforcement was working as a funeral escort in Idaho. On May 6, the man was arrested in Arlington and jailed on criminal impersonation and theft charges. On May 8, he was released on $2,500 bail. After his release from jail, the man checked into the Quality Inn in Arlington. He allegedly showed the clerk a badge and demanded a special rate for law enforcement employees. Police employees are prohibited from asking for any such privileges. The man allegedly left the motel without paying his full tab. In August, Bothell police opened an investigation into the man after he tried to get a prescription from a medical clinic there while wearing a Washington State Patrol jacket. Clinic officials learned the man had been banned from other clinics in Idaho and Washington for so-called drug shopping, where people go to multiple doctors in search of narcotics, court documents said. The Bothell investigation uncovered evidence the man was investigated in Lynnwood in 1977 for impersonating a police officer. The man has been under investigation for similar incidents in Everett, Montana and Kentucky. Kentucky authorities issued a felony extradition warrant for the man's arrest. The man was expected to be booked into the Marysville jail. He'll likely be moved to the Snohomish County Jail to await extradition, Banfield said. It's likely the man may have to travel back and forth between Everett and Kentucky to face criminal proceedings in both places, she said. "That's going to be an interesting one," Banfield said. Reporter Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3437 or jholtz@heraldnet.com.

1. Snohomish County man dies of swine flu 2. Lynnwood bank reprimanded by government 3. Police ID make of vehicle in fatal hit-and-run 4. Armed man shot by deputies in Arlington 5. IRS joins puppy mill investigation 6. Jetty Island ready for sand castles 7. Boeing's 6-month tally: 1 net order 8. Warriors & Patriots: Many American Indians served before getting full citizenship rights 9. Movin' out 10. Marshals seize swindler's home 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Warriors looking for balance • Three Scots vying for QB slot • Jackson looks for another title • Decorated veteran continues to serve as active volunteer • City Council reviewing sign regulations • Wildcats get a peek at newcomers • Lynnwood still in rebuilding mode • Shoreline feels a kindergarten growth spurt • Leave the patriotic pyrotechnics to professionals, cities urge • Trading dollars for kilowatts New PUD energy conservation programs save ... • By John Wolcott SCBJ Editor • Record crowd at Paine Field’s General Aviation Day as FHC Celebrate ... • Celebration of aviation's history and future presented in multiple venue ... • The time is ripe for small businesses to take no prisoners • EPA proposal to regulate global-warming gases would be costly for small ... • Innovation helps the town of Forks to offset tough economy • Powering the people