May 9, 2008 6:06 pm US/Eastern
Baltimore Man Charged As Police Impersonator
NORTH EAST, Md. (WJZ) ―
A Baltimore County codes enforcement officer has been arrested for impersonating a state trooper.
Suzanne Collins reports the impersonator had the uniform, gunbelt and a replica gun.
The man arrested for impersonating a Maryland State Trooper is Derek Propalis. He's been a Baltimore County codes enforcement officer for more than 30 years.
Department of Natural Resources Corporal Steve Stauffer arrested him in Elk Neck State Park around 2 a.m. Monday morning. A Crown Victoria with cop-type light was parked near the public pistol range.
"Initially I thought with the Stetson lying on the ground there, I thought there was a problem with a trooper," said Stauffer.
The corporal says he discovered Propalis crouched in front of the car dressed in police pants and a T-shirt.
"I patted him down. I could feel he was wearing body armor. At that time, I pulled up the right sleeve on his T-shirt, and I could see a khaki uniform with the Maryland State Police patch on it," said Stauffer.
There was a badge, his real name on a nameplate, and a gun that shoots blanks. He also had a drug pipe.
This isn't the first time police found Propalis with police uniforms. City Police responding to a burglary call ten years ago found uniforms, weapons and marijuana.
In that case he was found guilty on drug charges and firing a gun in the city. There was also another case five years ago.
Natural Resources Police say they've arrested Propalis before for impersonating an officer.
They say at the same location in Elk Neck Park in 2002, they arrested him for impersonating a Baltimore County police officer. That resulted in just a trespassing conviction. Police say they don't believe Propalis victimized any citizens.
"We have no evidence Mr. Propalis has confronted anybody and presented himself as a police officer. We believe this is just a personal issue he has with uniforms," said Stauffer.
Baltimore County Government says Propalis is on paid leave pending the outcome of this case.
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