Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a complaint of a possible police impersonator at the Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area in LaPorte County.
Friday night around 11:30 p.m. three teenagers were fishing near the Kankakee River when they were approached by a man who implied he was a law enforcement officer. He reportedly pulled into the area in a dark-colored Ford Crown Victoria and shined a spotlight on the youngsters.
They described him as a white man in his early 20s who was wearing dark colored cargo-style pants and carrying a holstered handgun and a large knife.
The man, who did not identify himself, told the teens he was responding on behalf of the DNR to a complaint of someone shooting a high-powered rifle and asked to see their fishing licenses.
DNR officials say neither the Indiana Conservation Officers Central Dispatch Center nor the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint of anyone shooting a high-powered rifle at Kingsbury Fish and Wildlife Area at any time Friday.
DNR officials add an Indiana Conservation Officer will conduct a fishing license check but note any police officer is authorized to check for a fishing or hunting license. Additionally conservation officers assigned to routine field patrol typically drive a fully-marked pickup truck or SUV and wear a complete uniform with a badge and shoulder patches. Officers working in plain clothes will identify themselves by producing a badge and law enforcement credentials.
Officials believe this is an isolated incident and are sharing information to raise public awareness. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Indiana Conservation Officers Central Dispatch at 812-837-9536.
