COVINGTON, La. – A Mandeville man was arrested from St. Tammany sheriff’s deputies for impersonating a police officer, according to St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office spokesman Capt. George Bonnett.
Robert Alexander Austin, 52, was arrested after he was seen driving on Interstate-12 near the Lacombe exit in a black SUV with emergency lights and a siren blaring.
“Sheriff’s deputies stopped the vehicle near the intersection of Hwy 434 and Hwy 190,” said Bonnett. “The driver initially identified himself to deputies as an off-duty New Orleans police officer, which was confirmed to be false.”
According to police, a handgun, handcuffs various badges and other police-related items were found inside his vehicle. He told police that he only used items to avoid tickets.
Police are asking anyone that may have encountered Austin to contact police at 985-726-7829.
