Middletown Man Arrested on Cop Impersonation Charge in Red Bank

A man was one of three men police arrested in Red Bank on Saturday night after they allegedly impersonated a police officer in order to steal a wallet.

According to , an unidentified male reported to police that his wallet had been stolen by three people driving in a sports utility vehicle.

The victim told police that he was walking in the area of Monmouth and Pearl streets when he was approached by the vehicle. One of the occupants told the victim he was a police officer, flashed a badge and ordered him to turn over his wallet.

Minutes later, Sgt. Errico Vescio observed the suspects while on patrol minutes later. Vescio pulled the vehicle over on Newman Springs Road and took the three men into custody.

William Paine, 34, Richard Ryan, 28, both of Brick, and James Lapinski, 29, of Middletown were each charged with robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon (a police baton), and impersonating a police officer. According to a release from the Red Bank Police Department, bail was set at $105,000 for each suspect.

Red Bank Police are currently conducting a follow-up investigation to determine if similar incidents were committed in Red Bank or neighboring towns.