TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — Deputies say 38-year-old Timothy Stafford of Bethlehem, N.C. is under arrest for impersonating a police officer.
Timothy Stafford
Stafford is charged with two counts of impersonating a law enforcement officer and two counts of second degree kidnapping after individuals in their vehicle felt they could not leave the area during the incident, according to a news release.
Deputies say they responded to a complaint that an individual was approached in a parking lot by a man who presented a badge and claimed to be a Sheriffs Deputy on Tuesday, December 29th around 9:30 p.m. near the Wittenburg Wildlife Access of Shiloh Church Road.
Detectives say Stafford claimed to be on duty as part of a stake out operation with others watching the area from the woods, when he approached a car with two individuals, and warned them there had been break ins in the area.
The reporting person believed Stafford was impersonating an officer, so they asked for his identification, and a verbal altercation ensued, according to a news release.
Detectives say the reporting party left shortly after and called the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office to find out there were in fact no officers working in the area of Wildlife Access.
Police say the reporting individual said Stafford was wearing dark colored clothing with a diver patch on his jacket, and was believed to be driving a beige Ford truck with a camper shell.
Officers say the suspect left the area before they arrived on the scene, but further investigation revealed the suspect as Stafford.
Police say Stafford is being held at the Alexander County Detention Center under a $25,000 bond with his first court appearance scheduled for January 4th, 2021.
