Police: Man Pretended To Be Cop As He Shook Down Escorts, Masseuses
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The NYPD on Wednesday was searching for victims, after a suspect was accused of pretending to be a police officer as he shook down escorts and masseuses.
Mikhail Belik, 32, of Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, was arrested on March 26 and charged with robbery, burglary, unlawful imprisonment, and criminal impersonation of a police officer, police said.
Police alleged Belik patronized escorts and masseuses he found in back page advertisements in various media formats, and demanded that they pay him off or else he would arrest them for unlicensed business practices, police said.
Police asked the public to find anyone who may have been a victim in the incidents. A photo of Belik has been released.
Anyone with information was asked to call the NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, log onto the Crime Stoppers website, or text tips to 274637 (CRIMES) and enter TIP577.
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