KINGMAN (AZ) - Police say an 18-year-old Kingman man took people on ride-alongs and responded to fictional calls as he posed as an officer with the Department of Public Safety.
Skyler Lee Whalen is charged with impersonating a law enforcement official and forgery.
He was arrested Saturday afternoon after he went to the fairgrounds and told people he was responding to a 911 hang-up call.
One of those people he contacted was an off-duty KPD officer, who suspected Whalen wasn't a real officer and contacted his on-duty colleagues to come out and investigate.
Whalen left the fairgrounds in a grey colored Ford Explorer. Officers located and stopped Whalen driving the vehicle in the 1000 block of E. Andy Devine Avenue.
He reportedly admitted to impersonating a police officer and was arrested... Kingman Police Capt. Rusty Cooper said Whalen was wearing a DPS badge and ballistic vest and was carrying a police radio, handcuffs, and DPS business cards with his name on them.
He also had several guns and rifles in his SUV, which had been outfitted like an unmarked police car with emergency lights...
Whalen had reportedly taken at least two people on ride-alongs and made them sign release waivers he doctored from documents he downloaded from the DPS website...
Wow, now that is someone who allegedly put lots of thought into a ruse.
Considering he took at least two people on ride-a-longs with him, investigators will have their hands full learning what "Pretend Officer Whalen" did to impress friends for his two work shifts.
Scary.
I am glad that he was caught before someone got hurt.
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I also saw that this is not the first time that the young Whalen was accused of impersonating someone in uniform.
Several US Marines were obviously offended when he allegedly boasted of his service in the Corps.
Evidently, Whalen created a Facebook page showing him in a Marine uniform (dated 2010). Of course he had to be shown wearing a chest full of ribbons and a Silver Star--an easy hint of an imposter for someone so young.
Anyone interested in Mr. Whalen's previous issues with the US Marines is welcome to Google his name or send me an email and I'll share the links with you.
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Have a super weekend everyone.
31 comments:
Unbelievable. And, no offense to your gender...but what is it about guys in this context? I see these guys driving around in those Fords that look like unmarked police cars...including the mounted side lights. If one pulls up alongside me, they appear cocky and it unnerves me. I would never, ever stop for one of these guys. Thanks for sharing this.
That's just creepy! Really, really creepy!
Have a super weekend SD!
In Malaysia there are impersonator doctors! Who treat patients.
SCARY!
SLamdunk:
Kinda YOUNG for an official LEO (imho).
But he DID have some NERVE...and now, he's got a record.
Good post.
Have a great weekend.
Stay safe.
It's like another Catch Me If You Can. I would love to get into his head, to see why he's doing it.
Oh yes, there was a weirdo here that would park on the side of the road and point hair dryers at passing cars...
That's scary. Such people can dupe a lot of innocent people.
A nut job going around with a whole bunch of guns, just what one needs. You'd think if he went through that much trouble he would at least try to actually become an officer. Not that I'd want him one and he prob couldn't pass the psych test, but still. crazy.
Wow. Have you seen the movie with Tony Curtis about the guy who impersonated a teacher, a doctor, etc. and got away with it? It's based on a true story. Wish I could think of the title.
Happy Weekend,
jen
I hate it when people pretend to be in my Beloved Corps. Or a LEO too, for that matter.
Although 18 does not make one "too young" for heroism. Technically. It's been done.
That is so scary!!!
Creeeeepeeerrrrrr.
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Eep, that's really scary. Creepy!
I'm glad they have this guy and will keep him for a while. Maybe he can get help before those delusions of his go off the deep end and someone does get hurt.
Makes you wonder whom you can trust, if the uniform or ID is legit. Scares me a lot.
He obviously cannot stand the person he really is.
What is WRONG with him? ugh.
It's sad to think he put so much effort into pretending to be someone he's not. With all that he was able to accomplish, my guess is that he could have focused that same energy on legitimately earning the position he so obviously desires. Clearly he has no faith in himself whatsoever.
I have to say, this is a first for me. Impersonating a police officer. WOW.
Those types are everywhere and to me are more dangerous than some of the worst criminals. Going as far as ridealongs. Eeks. He took it to extremes. I wonder what was next to make him seek out more of a thrill? Glad they caught him.
I'm not sure I would pull over for an unmarked police car thanks to people like this. Although he seems "harmless" enough ... it's obviously far too easy to impersonate an officer!
Have a good weekend, SD!
Scary indeed. I've read that if an unmarked car tries to pull you over, you should keep driving, slowly, until you get to a populated place like a gas station.
He's must have been really bored! lol
Shiver, shiver.
What a creepy story.
Shiver, shiver.
What a creepy story.
This is so creepy and did I see someone say there are impersonator doctors? Ugh what has our world come to? :/
I had to look it up Jeanette: The Great Impostor.
dude...seriously have to wonder about those ride alongs what was going on...and def easy for someone to get hurt in this situation...and not just him..glad he was caught...
Now this is surely scary!
It must be horrible to suffer from delusions of grandeur. This is disturbing on many, many levels.
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