Man Impersonates Officer To Search Victim's Pants Pockets, More On Long Island: Police

A Queens resident was arrested after he pretended to be a police officer so that he could search a man’s pants pockets and car on Long Island, authorities said.

Mitchell Robi.
Photo Credit: *Nassau County Police Department*

Sophie Grieser

03/27/2024 4:00 p.m.

It happened on Sunday, March 17 in Elmont, according to Nassau County Police.

At about 10:30 p.m. that evening, 32-year-old Mitchell Robi of Queens walked up to a man at the Mobile Gas Station, located at 101 Hempstead Turnpike, identifying himself as an undercover, off-duty police officer.

Robi then allegedly began to search the 25-year-old man’s sweatshirt and pants pockets before moving on to the man’s car.

As he opened the victim’s passenger door and began moving items that were on the car floor, the victim asked Robi to show him his police identification.

At that, Robi fled in a red Nissan Altima.

Robi was arrested on Tuesday, March 26 after an investigation.

He was charged with criminal impersonation and is scheduled to be arraigned at Hempstead’s First District Court on Wednesday, March 27.

Additionally, anyone who feels they may have been a victim of a similar crime is encouraged to contact the Fifth Squad at 516-573-6553 or Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.

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