Dagsboro Man Arrested For Impersonating A Police Officer

Dagsboro Man Arrested for Impersonating a Police Officer

Location:
36720 Bayside Outlet Drive, Corning Ware Outlet, Rehoboth Beach
247 Rehoboth Beach Avenue, The Purple Parrott Restaurant, Rehoboth Beach
Date of Occurrence: Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at approximately 5pm

Suspect(s): Mr. Michael R. Gagnon, 45, 31000 Block of New Street, Dagsboro

Resume: On Thursday, October 15th, 20009, the Delaware State Police were summoned to 36720 Bayside Outlet Drive, the Corning Ware Outlet, Rehoboth, for a sexual harassment complaint.

The investigation revealed that a white male later identified as Mr. Michael R. Gagnon, 45, of the 31000 Block of New Street, Dagsboro, entered the store and made inappropriate sexual comments to a 20-year old store employee. The store employee was alarmed by the nature of the comments, thus prompting him to call police.

As Delaware State Troopers probed into the this initial report, it was determined that the suspect in this incident was Mr. Gagnon. During this incident, Mr. Gagnon was wearing police apparel and departed the area operating a Ford Crown Victoria which appeared to be an used unmarked patrol vehicle.

Following his departure from the outlets, Mr. Gagnon traveled to the Purple Parrot Restaurant, located at 247 Rehoboth Avenue, where he solicited a 19-year old male employee. Mr. Gagnon made sexually explicit comments to this individual. This victim was also alarmed by the nature of Mr. Gagnon’s comments.

As a result of the verbal exchange, Mr. Gagnon was contacted by management and asked to leave the establishment. Mr. Gagnon refused and made numerous statements that he was a law enforcement officer. As a result the Rehoboth Beach Police were called.

Upon arrival of the Rehoboth Beach Police Mr. Gagnon was taken into custody without incident and turned over to responding Delaware State Troopers. Mr. Gagnon was transported to Delaware State Police Troop 7 where he was formally charged with the following crimes:

Failure to Register as a Sex Offender (Felony)
Impersonating a Police Officer (Felony)
2-Counts of Criminal Solicitation in the 3rd Degree (Misdemeanor)
2-Counts of Sexual Harassment (Misdemeanor)
Disorderly Conduct (Misdemeanor)
Mr. Gagnon was arraigned and committed to Sussex Correctional Center in lieu of $15,000.00 cash bond. In addition, Mr. Gagnon was issued a no contact order with the victims and the establishments where the incidents occurred.