Police: Man Impersonating Cop Stops Teen Police Explorers
MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (WCCO) -- Maplewood Police arrested a former Vadnais Heights volunteer firefighter, accusing him of impersonating a cop.
Police say 51-year-old Timothy Kelvie implied he was a police officer when he stopped two teenage boys in a car near the Maplewood Mall last week.
"He was alleging they were going a little too fast on White Bear Avenue," said Maplewood Deputy Police Chief Dave Kvam.
Both of the teens are police explorers. One of them later told his adviser, a Ramsey County deputy, about the incident. He contacted Maplewood Police who conducted the investigation that led them to Kelvie.
Kvam said Kelvie admitted making the stop in a red 2002 Crown Victoria car and said he was concerned the teens were driving drunk.
Kvam said investigators found police equipment in the car, including a scanner, siren, light and a Ramsey County Sheriff's cap.
Police hope to hear from anyone else who may have been stopped by Kelvie, who retired from the Vadnais Heights Fire Department last year. The Crown Victoria has Minnesota license plates 616 MD.
"Our reason for publicizing this is simply we're a little concerned that he may have done this to others," said Kvam.
Kelvie declined to comment about the charges.
Kvam said most traffic stops are made by officers in marked squads and uniforms. When plainclothes officers do make stops, they should have their badges and identification visible.
Maplewood Police can be reached at 651-249-2600.
