STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A man accused of impersonating a police officer during a 2023 car stop on Staten Island told arresting officers he was an investigator with special skills, authorities allege in newly-obtained court documents.
Joel Lacrete, 42, of Rockland County, is due back in court Dec. 15 on charges that include criminal impersonation and criminal possession of a weapon. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His attorney declined to comment Tuesday.
The case meanwhile is finally moving forward after delays involving a mental health evaluation, records show.
The defendant was pulled over in 2023 near Forest and South avenues in Mariners Harbor.(Google Maps0Allegedly claimed to investigate ‘wire fraud’
The incident unfolded just before 5 p.m. on Aug. 31, 2023, near Forest and South avenues in Mariners Harbor, according to the criminal complaint.
NYPD officers pulled over the defendant in a black 2021 BMW. The license plate allegedly had a plastic license plate cover, which is forbidden in New York.
Police allege Lacrete, of E. Route 59 in Nanuet, falsely identified himself as an investigator with a government agency. According to court documents, he allegedly stated in part, “I work with the department of investigation fraud investigation unit; I’m the organizer. I investigate wire fraud. The department of investigation gives me cases, I handle a lot of the cases. I’m part of the background. They come to me to investigate.”
A search of the defendant’s vehicle revealed a police vest with his name printed on it, a fake badge in the center console, a police scanner and a spring-loaded switchblade, police allege.
Following his arrest, the NYPD took to Twitter, formerly known as X, with photos of the items.
Mental health exam, prior arrest
Since the defendant’s arrest, he was examined by mental health experts to determine if he was mentally fit to comprehend charges filed against him.
At a Dec. 1 hearing, Justice Mario F. Mattei determined Lacrete was fit to proceed after hearing from experts and attorneys handling the case.
The defendant has a prior conviction in Brooklyn for third-degree grand larceny, according to court documents.