Troopers Arrest Man for Impersonating an Officer

Bear- Delaware State Police have arrested a Bear man after he impersonated a New Castle County police officer during an incident which occurred at a Bear restaurant late last week.

The investigation determined that the incident occurred at approximaltey 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 25, 2017, after a female customer parked her vehicle adjacent to the Seasons Pizza Restaurant, located at 1460 Pulaski Highway. As the customer entered the restaurant, she was confronted by a male subject, later identified as Joseph P. Dooley, 30, of Bear. Dooley ordered the female customer to move her car and then proceeded to call her a racial slur. As the customer left the restaurant, she was followed by Dooley who then began to take a picture of her vehicle's registration. He then advised the victim that he was an officer with the New Castle County Police Department. The female customer then began recording Dooley and was able to obtain the registration number of his vehicle before he fled the parking lot. She then called 9-1-1.

Investigating troopers responded to Dooley's home and was able to take him into custody without incident. He was then transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with Criminal Impersoantion of a Police Officer and Terroristic Threatening. He was arraigned at JP Court 11 and committed to the Howard Young Correctional Institution in default of $3500.00 cash bail.