Impersonation charges at Gympie

A 36-year-old man has been charged with impersonating police and devprivation of liberty following a number of alleged incidents spanning several years.

On October 10, police were made aware of a video where the man allegedly detained two 15-year-old boys while identifying himself as a member of the police dog squad.

A search warrant was executed at the man’s residence where a number of items where located including tactical clothing, weapons, holsters, military-style clothing and police service patches from a number of different organisations.

A number of endangered animals were also found at the property.

Further investigations revealed a number of incidents where the man allegedly identified himself as a police officer and detained people. Police believe these interactions have occurred since 2017 in Brisbane and Gympie.

The 36-year-old Jones Hill man has been charged with two counts of assume designation or description of a police officer and a count of falsely representing to be a returned soldier.

He has also been charged with 15 counts of deprivation of liberty, four counts of common assault, two counts of possessing restricted items and one count each of threatening violence and unlawfully possessing a weapon.

He has been denied police bail and will appear in Gympie Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Investigations into the endangered animals are continuing with Queensland Parks and Wildlife and Department of Fisheries.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have had similar interactions to come forward.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.

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