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Crown Heights Road Rage Ends With Cop Impostor Brandishing Gun
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Sep 30, 2014
Modified Sep 30, 2014
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Sep 30, 2014
Modified Sep 30, 2014
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A Brooklyn man stands accused of impersonating a police officer, pulling over a van, brandishing a gun, and threatening to kill its driver.
According to a release from Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson, on September 5th at around 7:40 p.m., 20-year-old Maurice Joiner was cut off in traffic by a van making a U-turn near Utica Avenue and Lincoln Place in Crown Heights. Investigators say Joiner then turned on a set of flashing blue and red lights he had installed in his Lincoln Aviator, and pulled behind the van, which then pulled over.
Joiner exited his SUV and walked up to the van "cursing," investigators say, making the driver of the van nervous and causing him to flee; Joiner then pulled up next to the van, brandished a pistol and a badge, and told the van driver through his window that he intended to "blow his head off."
The van driver called 911 and reported Joiner's license plate. The police pulled Joiner over and found an air pistol, handcuffs, a bulletproof vest, mace, and a "gold metal security officer shield."
Joiner is being charged with first-degree criminal impersonation, second-degree criminal impersonation, second-degree menacing, second-degree harassment, possession of an imitation pistol, and possession of mace. He faces four years in prison.
Tagged
brooklyn da
Crown Heights
ken thompson
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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