Highland man arrested for allegedly impersonating police officer

HIGHLAND, Calif. (KABC) -- A Highland man was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer after a real detective pulled over to help him with what appeared to be a pedestrian stop.

The Highland detective was driving near 13th Street and Bangor Avenue at 7:30 a.m. when he saw what seemed to be the driver of an unmarked police car making a pedestrian stop. When the detective pulled over to help, the pedestrian jumped in the passenger seat and the car drove away.

The detective caught up to the car and managed to make a traffic stop. Kory Charleton, 23, was identified as the driver and was arrested.

Upon investigation, detectives found a police scanner, replica police badge, burglary tools and emergency lights and sirens inside the car.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department called Charleton a career criminal. Officials said he appeared to be under the influence of drugs and was on probation for grand theft auto.

It was unclear how many people Charleton may have contacted pretending to be a police officer, but investigators found anonymous police reports identifying Charleton as driving through his neighborhood with emergency lights and sirens activated.

Anyone with information is asked to call Highland Sheriff's Station at (909) 425-9793.