Wichita police arrest man accused of impersonating an officer

Police are asking people to call them if they were pulled over or contacted by a man impersonating an officer.

Daniel Justin Corrieri, 27, was arrested Thursday night on charges of suspicion of impersonating an officer, possession of a firearm while under the influence and DUI. A person called police at around 11:30 p.m. Thursday about being approached by Corrieri, who claimed to be a police officer, Officer Paul Cruz said in a news release.

Corrieri was driving a white Hyundai Elantra that had multi-colored lights like an emergency vehicle, Cruz said. Corrieri was stopped by police at Harrison Park in east Wichita, near Harry and Webb.

“Corrieri was wearing a bullet-proof vest, a law enforcement-style duty belt, and was armed with a handgun,” Cruz said. “WPD officers later recovered a second handgun inside of his vehicle.”

Police photos show a tan vest that said “AGENT WARRANT DIVISION” on it. Another photo appeared to show lights mounted on the front window of an Elantra.

Anyone who has been pulled over by someone they believe was impersonating an officer should call the Wichita Police Department at 316-268-4221. People can always call 911 to verify whether the person who stopped them is an officer, Cruz said.

On Friday, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation sent out a news release about an increase in reports of people impersonating officers. The KBI said it’s received about 10 such reports occurring in multiple counties during the last several weeks.

“So far, no travelers have reported injuries or stolen property during these incidents,” the KBI said in the release. “In many of the incidents reported, the impersonator is in a vehicle without official police markings, but emergency lights are used.”

The impersonator often asks the driver whether they are essential employees during the novel coronavirus and asks for workplace documents, the KBI reported.

Gov. Laura Kelly’s stay-home executive order does not require anyone documents that prove people can leave their home, the KBI reported.

The KBI also recommended people call 911 to verify they are being stopped by an officer if they suspect the person is an imposter. If you have been recently stopped by a suspected impersonator, call local law enforcement, the KBI said, or report the incident online at kbi.ks.gov/sar or by calling 1-800-KS-CRIME.

This story was originally published April 10, 2020 at 4:49 PM.