Denver Limo Driver Arrested In Police Impersonation Case
DENVER (CBS4) - The owner of a Denver limo company faces charges after prosecutors say he pretended to be a state trooper.
Investigators say Andy Poppenberg's limo was outfitted with lights and a siren when he called in an accident. He told police a taxi had rear ended him on Interstate 70. Investigators say the accident turned out to be fake.
At the time of the reported crash Poppenberg says he was giving a ride to a surgeon, and he admits that he was using flashing lights and a siren on the vehicle. Poppenberg said the Colorado State Patrol authorized him to use the equipment.
The Denver District Attorney says the trouble started when Poppenberg called the taxi company. He claimed hit him, and asked them for information regarding his case, saying he was with the state patrol.
"Any time someone puts themselves out as a law enforcement officer and they're not, that's very serious," said Denver DA's spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough. "It's a matter of public trust."
Poppenberg told investigators he was an honorary colonel with state patrol and had approval from them to use emergency lights to transport organs from hospital to hospital.
Officials with the state patrol said that wasn't the case.
"The honorary colonel designation provides them with no police powers whatsoever. It is specifically a commemorative award," Trooper Mike Baker said.
Since the honorary colonel program was started in 2001, only 40 people have been chosen. Poppenberg was chosen because of his support of nonprofits and for providing limo rides to the families of fallen police officers.
Poppenberg is the owner of the business Lincoln Limousine. He now faces charges of false reporting and impersonating a police officer.
CBS4 asked Poppenberg to comment Thursday night but he referred us to his lawyers.
One of those attorneys says Poppenberg filed a lawsuit against the Denver Police Department in an unrelated matter.
The lawyer says Poppenberg will investigate any possible connection between the lawsuit and the arrest.
