NEW YORK (VINnews) — A man was arrested in Times Square early Tuesday, after he was caught apparently impersonating a police officer while armed with a BB gun.
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The man, who has been identified as 31-year-old Abm Faisal of Bensonhurst, was spotted by an off-duty NYPD detective who was working security.
The detective noticed Faisal sitting in his vehicle, which sported a thin blue line American flag that symbolizes support for the police, US Army decals and a decorative front NYPD license plate.
After exchanging a few words, Faisal exited his vehicle and walked away.
The detective again spotted Faisal approximately an hour later getting up from a table at a pedestrian area.
It was then that the detective noticed Faisal’s jacket pushed back around what appeared to be a holstered handgun.
The detective later said that he had noticed Faisal wearing an NYPD sweatshirt, but knew immediately that he could not be an officer.
The off duty cop then alerted some nearby NYPD officers, who approached Faisal.
After telling him to put his hands up, they retrieved the weapon without issue.
Faisal was charged with criminal possession of a weapon.
According to sources, Faisal has a history as an emotionally disturbed person.
He was arrested once in the past for driving a stolen vehicle.