A man has been charged after allegedly impersonating a police officer and demanding $500 from a teenager’s mum in Sydney’s inner west.
At about midday on Friday, a 16-year-old boy at a supermarket in Forest Lodge was accosted by a man who allegedly said he was a police officer and showed a silver badge in a black leather wallet.
The man allegedly accused the boy of stealing and took him to an office at the rear of the store.
A short time later, the boy’s mother attended the supermarket and the man allegedly demanded $500 from her.
She purchased a gift card from the store.
Police were told of the incident that afternoon and began investigating.
A 59-year-old man was arrested and charged with multiple offences including impersonating a police officer and assault.
He was bailed and will appear in court on July 23.
