Man arrested for allegedly impersonating peace officer
EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- A 51-year-old has been arrested for allegedly impersonating a peace officer while directing traffic.
El Paso County Sheriff's Office (EPSO) says around 8 p.m. on July 8, they recieved a report that an individual was impersonating a peace officer near mile marker 296 on Highway 24 in western unincorporated El Paso County.
EPSO says they later identified the individual as 51-year-old Garrett Duffy.
According to EPSO, the caller told law enforcement that an adult male driving a black Dodge pickup truck was identifying himself as a peace officer while directing traffic. An arrest affidavit from El Paso County obtained by KRDO13 details that witnesses reported the suspect was also showing what appeared to be a law enforcement badge.
After an investigation, EPSO says they identified the owner of the truck as Duffy, who was allegedly known to be armed and aggressive toward law enforcement.
Court records go on to say that a firefighter on scene questioned the authenticity of the badge, and Duffy allegedly said the badge he displayed was fake and that a real badge was inside his truck. Witnesses also reported that Duffy had a handgun tucked into his waistband, according to the arrest affidavit.
Manitou Springs Police Department responded to the scene but did not locate the suspect, says EPSO.
Law enforcement learned that Duffy was arrested on July 4 on multiple charges before being released on July 7 after posting bond. A day later, on July 8, Duffy was arrested by the Teller County Sheriff's Office for a separate incident and was still in custody, according to EPSO.
EPSO says Duffy was charged with impersonating a peace officer and violation of a protection order. The charges came as an addition to Duffy's original charges from July 4, which included menacing, real or simulated weapon, resisting arrest and second-degree assault, says law enforcement.
Duffy is now being held on a $22,800 bond, confirms EPSO.
An additional affidavit from Teller County details that a similar incident alledgly occurred with Duffy on July 3 at a Loaf 'N Jug off Highway 24.
Woodland Park Police Department says they responded to the store after a report of an unwanted party at the location.
Court records state that employees told police that Duffy alledgly entered the gas station with a cigarette in his mouth, and when he was told smoking was not allowed in the store, Duffy responded that he was law enforcement and showed a badge. According to court records, Duffy then told an employee he could "shut this place down."
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