The Indiana Conservation Officers are looking into a possible police impersonator at Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area.
The officers say they received a complaint after teenagers fishing near the Kankakee River were approached by someone who implied he was a law enforcement officer.
WNDU reports the individual is described as a white male in his early 20s wearing dark-colored cargo pants and carrying a holstered handgun and a large knife, who drove up in a dark-colored Ford Crown Victoria with a bumper guard.
The three teens say the unidentified person approached them after shining a spotlight on them from his vehicle. He then told them he was responding on behalf of Department of Natural Resources to a complaint of someone shooting a high-powered rifle, and asked to see their fishing licenses.
Local authorities say any police officer is authorized to check for a fishing or hunting license, but that type of check is usually conducted by an Indiana Conservation Officer. They say neither Indiana Conservation Officers Central Dispatch Center nor the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint like the one the man made reference to.
Authorities also say the Indiana Conservation Officers assigned to regular field patrol usually drive a fully marked pick-up truck or SUV and wear a complete uniform with a badge and shoulder patches. Should an officer be working in plain clothes, he or she will identify themselves by producing a badge and law enforcement credentials.
Friday’s incident appears to be an isolated event. If anyone has relevant information, they should call Indiana Conservation Officers Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536
