Fake cop 'found' uniform

Photo / Supplied

He had not stolen the property, he just found it, a man said in explanation for having police clothing in his car.

Nicolas Stuart Vermeulen, 22, unemployed, of Mosgiel, was before the Dunedin District Court yesterday charged with stealing a police-issue rain jacket, wet weather pants, a forage cap and a tie worth almost $300, on October 8, 2006.

He admitted the offence, and also resisting Constable Timothy Oldfield, on July 18 this year.

Judge Stephen Coyle imposed convictions, and on each charge a $400 fine, and court costs of $130.

Prosecutor Sergeant Paul Knox said a bag containing police clothing and ticket books was taken when a police vehicle was broken into outside the Mosgiel police station about 3am on October 8, 2006.

Walking near Gordon and Gladstone Rds about half an hour later, Vermeulen saw an unknown male trying to hide a bag in long grass.

Vermeulen picked up the bag and took it home. He wore the clothing to at least two social gatherings, impersonating a police officer.

The items were found in his car boot at a routine vehicle stop in Dunedin, last month.

Vermeulen's explanation was he had not stolen the property. He just found it.

- Otago Daily Times