Queens man arrested for allegedly impersonating an officer in Elmont

A Queens man was arrested on March 26 for allegedly impersonating an undercover police officer in Elmont earlier this month.

Police said Mitchell Robi, 32, of 57^th Avenue, Little Neck, approached a 25-year-old man at Mobile Gas Station on Hempstead Turnpike in Elmont and allegedly identified himself as an off-duty undercover police officer on March 17 at 10:30 p.m.

According to police, Robi allegedly searched inside the man’s sweatshirt and pants pockets. He also allegedly opened the passenger door of the man’s car and moved around some of the items on the car floor.

When the man asked Robi to show police identification, police said he fled in a red Nissan Altima. After investigation, police arrested Robi on March 26 at 6:55 p.m. without incident.

Robi was charged with alleged criminal impersonation and was arraigned March 27 at Hempstead First District Court.

Police ask anyone who feels they may have been the victim of a similar incident call the Fifth Squad at (516) 573-6553 or Nassau County Crime stoppers at 1 (800) 244-8477.