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Fake Cop In Stolen CT Fire Department Truck Arrested In Massachusetts After Chase

A man posing as a police officer and pulling over drivers in a stolen Connecticut fire department pickup truck got an up-close look at real law enforcement when he was arrested this weekend, authorities said. 

Police lights

Police lights

Photo Credit: Branford Fire Department

Kristian Avery, 46, of Windsor, Connecticut, was arrested just before 5 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, and is facing multiple charges following a chase on I-91, Massachusetts State Police said.

Police received a call around 3:30 a.m. that someone had broken into the Windsor Fire Department, destroyed a television, stolen tools, started a small fire, and driven away in one of the department's Ford Expeditions. 

Soon after, police in Massachusetts started receiving calls from confused drivers in Northampton and Whatley who said a man in a fire department truck had pulled them over on I-91 but refused to identify himself during the stop. 

Troopers spotted the truck near Exit 36 in Deerfield, but when they tried to pull him over, the driver was not interested in a real traffic stop, officials said. The truck slowed for a moment before it sped away. 

Police caught up to Avery at the Deerfield Weigh Station at mile marker 37 and took him into custody without incident. 

Avery is charged with receiving stolen property, impersonating a police officer, failing to stop for police, negligent operation, and improper use of emergency lights in Massachusetts, authorities said.

He will likely face additional charges in Connecticut, but authorities have not yet disclosed details.

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