The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Cops: Oneida city man impersonated police officer
SULLIVAN, N.Y. >> An Oneida city man has been charged after police say he impersonated an officer following an altercation with another motorist.
On Dec. 3 at 5 p.m., investigators at the Madison County Sheriff’s Office charged Christopher J. DeFazio, 22, of Oneida, for second-degree criminal impersonation, a class A misdemeanor.
Police say that on Oct. 20, DeFazio was driving a red 1996 single cab Ford pickup truck when he was involved in a road rage incident with another motorist. During the altercation, DeFazio was dressed in a security officer uniform and had a sheriff’s hat displayed near his windshield. DeFazio shined a flashlight in the eyes of the motorist and told the motorist that he was a Madison County Sheriff’s Deputy. Authorities say DeFazio also talked into what appeared to be a police radio pretending to call for police
backup.
After the incident, DeFazio contacted 911 to report the other motorist. An investigation into the incident determined that DeFazio had impersonated a police officer. DeFazio was issued an appearance ticket directing him to appear at the Town of Sullivan Court on Jan. 15, 2019 at 4 p.m.
If anyone has any information of other incidents of DeFazio impersonating a police officer, contact Investigator Steve Sellin at 315366-3009.