Suffolk Police: David Olivari Of Coram Impersonated An Officer, Sought Nudes From Women He Pulled Over
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - A Long Island man is accused of impersonating a police officer and targeting female drivers.
In one case, prosecutors say he asked a woman to send him explicit pictures of herself.
That raised suspicions, and now he is charged with multiple felonies.
As CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reports, the victims told police something didn't feel right. Two women were pulled over by an unmarked car. The alleged cop took their cell phones away from them, which police don't normally do.
They reported their suspicions, and now that alleged cop impersonator is under arrest.
David Olivari said nothing as he left court with his wife, father and attorney, but prosecutors say he said plenty when he pulled over women, pretending to be a police officer. He allegedly used a 2007 Prius and a flashing dashboard light.
"He indicated that he had stopped them because he believed they were not obeying the speed limit and that they may have been driving while either texting or talking on the cell phone, and that gave him the pretense to try and access the phone," said Lt. Michael Crowley of the Suffolk Police Department.
Officials say it happened at least twice. On Jan. 22, he allegedly pulled over a woman on the Long Island Expressway service road in Ronkonkoma, took her cell phone away, got her number off of it, then returned it. According to court documents, he said he would "let her off with a warning."
Later, he texted her.
"Requesting for her to send him nude pictures of herself," said Suffolk Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison.
A similar car stop took place the next day near the LIE in Nesconset with the same pretense.
The women reported to their suspicions to police who arrested Olivari when they say he tried to meet one of the victims Tuesday in Commack.
Their advice to concerned motorists?
"Pull over, have your credentials prepared. If you feel uncomfortable with that engagement, get that person's name, the precinct, the shield number, and once that person does take off, then you call 911 and ask for assistance," Harrison said. "Ask for a uniformed personnel to respond please."
Olivari was hired by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision as a correction officer trainee in August. The department tells CBS2 he is on administrative leave pending termination. His attorney told the judge he has no criminal record.
Suffolk police want anyone else who thinks they were a victim of this accused cop impersonator to contact them at (631) 854-8452 or (800) 220-TIPS.
All calls will be kept confidential.
Olivari was released without bail. He must check in weekly with probation.
He faces state prison if convicted of impersonation, in the same corrections system he is currently employed by.
Olivari, 38, of Coram, is charged with criminal impersonation, grand larceny, unlawful imprisonment, and unauthorized use of a computer.
