A 21-year-old male has been charged with a range of offences including impersonating police after being caught driving a Mercedes-Benz S350d limousine bearing bold ‘POILCE’ (sic) lettering on its bonnet.
According to the NSW Police Force’s Traffic and Highway Patrol Command Facebook page, officers from Burwood Highway Patrol were conducting patrols in Strathfield (Sydney) when they noticed the unusual black German limousine at about 2:50pm on Friday (July 18).
“Officers made enquiries during which they identified and located a 21-year-old male nearby who was using this vehicle,” said police.
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Officers inspected the vehicle where they located numerous ‘Chinese Police’ insignia on the passenger door panels as well as the bonnet of the vehicle.
“The 21-year-old person of interest gave Officers a fake document stating that the vehicle is being utilised to transport consulate officials from China.”
Police said that while conducting a vehicle search they located a box containing 48 live rounds of ammunition in the boot of the vehicle, and the man was immediately arrested after stating he believed it was the best place to store his ammunition.
Officers seized the ammunition as well as other items in the vehicle believed to be used to impersonate police.
The male, who holds an active firearms licence, stated he had two rifles in a gun safe at his Baulkham Hills residence, where police later located two gel blaster firearms which were immediately seized.
His registered firearms were also seized, pending a review of his firearms licence.
He was refused bail and will appear before Parramatta Local Court at a later date, charged with the following offences:
- Use/display emergency services organisation insignia
- Drive motor vehicle with unlawful police insignia
- Impersonate Commonwealth public official in act/at place
- Use false document to influence exercise of public duty-T1
- 2x counts of Holder of Category A or B licence not have approved storage
- Provide false or misleading information
- Possess unauthorised prohibited firearm
- Not comply P2 licence condition not display P-plates