By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-835705.mp3
Dallas, TX – A 22 year old man wanted for impersonating an officer and making arrests alongside Dallas Police is under arrest himself. KERA's BJ Austin says a fugitive task force tracked down the would-be cop in California.
Ryan Caskey told police he was in the military, carried a Marine Military police badge, a side arm, and wore a bulletproof vest. For two weeks, he assisted Dallas police, claiming he was part of a federal task force. He answered calls and helped make arrests until a Sgt started questioning him. Dallas Police Senior Corporal Janice Crowther says Caskey was a very good impersonator and apparently also fooled at least three other local police agencies.
Crowther: They had information that he might be in California. They contacted the authorities in California and passed on information which led to the arrest of Caskey at his parents' home. You know he's been caught, stopped in his tracks. And he will have to answer to that. Impersonating a police officer is a very serious offense.
Officials say Caskey does not appear to have a criminal history. A conviction carries a maximum ten years in prison.