Photo provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 57-year-old grocery store worker who deputies said pretended to be an officer during a traffic stop about litter, was arrested last week.
Linston Hensley
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED BY INDIAN RIVER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
The man – identified as Linston M. Hensley – told deputies he pulled the vehicle over because trash fell from the automobile, reports show. Hensley activated LED red and blue lights on his silver Nissan Rouge before pulling the vehicle over.
Deputies suspect Hensley might have previously committed the act on other potential victims. Hensley’s Nissan has a Cobra radio with a microphone and a camera in the top left corner of the windshield, reports show.
Deputies arrested Hensley, of the 100 block of 22nd Avenue, on charges of impersonating a law enforcement officer, carrying an illegal firearm or electrical device and unlawful use of a police badge. Hensley was released Sunday from the Indian River County Jail on $4,000 bond.
One of the victims – who was riding with two other people – grew suspicious after the incident and called deputies about 2 p.m. Saturday. The victim told deputies a man who wore a green shirt, blue bulletproof vest, a gold shield style badge and a gun on his hip, used his Nissan to pull them over near Barber Street and U.S. 1.
The man – later identified as Hensley – told the victims that debris fell from their vehicle and that he was going to give them a warning, reports show. The victims asked Hensley if he was an officer and he replied, “yes,” authorities said.
Sebastian police tipped off deputies the Nissan was at a Publix parking lot at 9621 U.S. 1.
Deputies learned the Nissan belonged to Hensley. Hensley was inside the grocery store where he worked as deputies were outside, reports show.
Deputies spoke with Hensley, who admitted to stopping the vehicle. Hensley denied identifying himself as a law enforcement officer, reports show.
Deputies found a semi-automatic pistol in Hensley’s vehicle, reports show. Hensley was confirmed to have a concealed carry weapons permit.
Deputies arrested Hensley and took him to the county jail. Hensley has an arraignment at 8:45 a.m. April 12, court records show.
Anyone who thinks they might have been a victim of Hensley should contact the sheriff’s office at 772-978-6240.
Photo provided by Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
