Police: Man claimed to be cop during dispute at Walmart
Published on:
July 15, 2026
Rome Johnson and the shield seized. Photos provided by the Catskill Police Department.
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CATSKILL―The Catskill Police Department has arrested a man who allegedly pretended to be a member of the NYPD.
Officers responded Wednesday to the Walmart in Catskill Commons following a report of a verbal dispute in the parking lot.
During their investigation, Catskill Police say that one of the individuals involved in the argument had falsely represented himself as an NYPD detective.
Officers also seized an NYPD detective shield that is being held as evidence, Catskill Police said.
Arrested was 62-year-old Rome Johnson of the Bronx who is charged with first-degree criminal impersonation, a class E felony. Johnson was issued an appearance ticket to Catskill Town Court.
“The Catskill Police Department would also like to take this time to remind the public that if you believe someone is falsely representing themselves as a law enforcement officer, or if you have any doubt about an individual’s identity as a police officer, contact your local law enforcement agency immediately,” the department stated.
