Riverside man arrested for allegedly impersonating police officer
Brandon Vielkind, 25
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - A 25-year-old-man is behind bars for allegedly impersonating a police officer.
Officers with the Riverside Police Department responded to a barber shop in the area of Pierce St. and Magnolia Ave. after getting reports of a man wearing a tactical vest, hat, and badge to impersonate a police officer.
Police say the suspect, Brandon Vielkind, entered the business in hopes of getting a free haircut, but then claimed to be conducting an investigation and soon became erratic.
Once officers arrived they contacted the suspect outside and detained him.
The police department says an officer recognized Vielkind from safety flyers regarding the suspect being involved in several highly publicized incidents at different churches over the past year.
After searching his car officers found two airsoft rifles and a pistol grip airsoft shotgun that was modified to resemble realistic weapons. Police say they also found numerous patches with police and federal law enforcement insignias.
Vielkind was arrested and booked into jail for impersonating a police officer and violation of probation.