San Rafael police arrested a Richmond man for allegedly pretending to be a police officer.
Matthew Bennett Connolly, 25, was stopped in traffic Wednesday after police noticed an unusual California Highway Patrol car traveling near Bellam Boulevard and the Interstate 580 overpass. It was an older model Chevrolet Camaro.
An officer waved at the driver and noticed he was not in uniform and he didn’t appear to be a CHP officer, Sgt. Justin Graham said. Police followed him and determined that his vehicle lacked proper license plates and his vehicle was not registered with the CHP.
Officers pulled the car over and found Connolly at the wheel. He said the vehicle was for a car show and he had placed CHP decals it, Graham said.
Investigators determined that the car was recently removed from an impound yard for having expired registration, and that it did not appear in a car show.
Connolly was arrested on suspicion of impersonating a police officer, a misdemeanor.
“Officers continue to investigate and work with the California Highway Patrol as well as other Marin County law enforcement agencies to determine if there have been any other incidents involving the vehicle or Connolly,” Graham said. He said anyone who has potential information for investigators can provide it by phone at 415-485-3000 or online at srpd.org/tips.
Connolly was released from the Marin County Jail with a citation to appear in court if prosecutors file a case, said sheriff’s Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn.
Connolly declined to comment on Thursday.