Two men who reportedly impersonated the police and confiscated goods and money belonging to a vendor in the Half-Way Tree area were officially charged after they were pointed out during an identification parade.

Facing charges of impersonating police and robbery with aggravation are Jermaine Vassell otherwise called 'JJ', 18, unemployed of 7 East, Greater Portmore, St Catherine and Akeem Rohan Davis, otherwise called 'Patch of Grey', 18, unemployed of Braeton, St Catherine.

Police vest

The allegations are that on November 27, about 9 p.m., the complainant was selling DVDs on the side -walk along Constant Spring Road when both men and another man on foot, approached him and shouted "Police don't move". Vassell was reportedly in possession of a marked cloth police vest bearing regulation number # 3772.

The complainant complied with the instructions and the men seized the DVDs, valuing $2,400. The complainant was escorted to the Half-Way Tree Transport Centre Security Post, where he was searched and $3,700 cash along with a national identification card taken from him after which he was released.

The complainant made a report to the Half-Way Tree Police. Quick action by police personnel resulted in both accused men being held and the police vest being seized.

The police are advising citizens to make sure that police personnel in plain clothes wearing marked police vests also show their identification cards. The Half-Way Tree CIB is also warning those who impersonate police officers to desist because once caught, they will be dealt with according to the law.