NEW HYDE PARK — A Flushing man was arrested for impersonating a police officer and stealing merchandise from a Target store in New Hyde Park, authorities said.
The Third Squad reported that Yunzhi Xie, 43, was taken into custody following an incident that occurred at 10:06 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at the Target located at 1400 Hempstead Turnpike.
Police said Xie removed merchandise from the store without paying and was stopped by store loss prevention employees.
He then identified himself as a police officer and displayed a law enforcement shield, officials said.
An investigation determined that Xie was not a law enforcement officer, and Third Precinct detectives arrested him without incident, according to police.
Xie was charged with second-degree criminal impersonation and petit larceny.
He was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Hempstead on Thursday, March 13.
Detectives are asking anyone who may have been a victim of a similar incident to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS or call 911.
All callers will remain anonymous.
