DATE: July 22, 2014
SUBJECT: Impersonation of a Public Servant Arrest
RELEASE NUMBER: 2014-NR-062
CONTACT: Lt. Doug Daza
AUTHORITY: Sheriff David Wedding
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a registered sex offender following an incident in which the man posed as a police officer. On July 21, 2014 at approximately 1942 hrs, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Angel Mounds State Historic Site at 8215 Pollack Avenue in reference to an individual who had identified himself as a police officer to several people as they were walking near the site on the levee. This individual, later identified as Michael Anthony Foster, was wearing a hat and a t-shirt that said “Police”. Foster also appeared to be carrying a handgun. Foster was reportedly telling people that he was a member of a special police task force and that they should leave the area because he was going to raid the woods for a sex offender. The callers were concerned because Foster was acting strange and appeared to have been drinking.
Deputy Bryan Bishop arrived first and located Foster behind the former Knight Township Fire Department station. Deputy Bishop observed what appeared to be a holstered handgun protruding from Foster’s front pocket. Deputy Bishop immediately ordered Foster to put his hands in the air. Foster responded by placing his hand on the butt of the handgun in his pocket. Deputy Bishop again ordered Foster to raise his hands and Foster complied, putting his hands in the air. He then began walking towards Deputy Bishop despite repeated commands to stop. Deputy Bishop, who was initially shielded behind the door of his patrol vehicle, was forced to take Foster to the ground where he was placed in handcuffs. The suspected handgun was found to be a BB gun. A pocket knife with the blade open was also found in a pocket.
Foster offered no explanation for his actions. A search of his person resulted in the recovery of a small quantity of suspected marijuana and suspected Alprazolam, a Schedule IV Controlled Substance. Foster is currently a registered Sex Offender in Vanderburgh County and has been on Parole for Burglary since 2013.
Foster was arrested and charged with Impersonating a Public Servant Level 6 Felony, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Schedule IV Controlled Substance and Resisting Law Enforcement, all Class A Misdemeanors.
ARRESTED:
Pictured above: Michael Anthony Foster, age 44, of Evansville
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