Albany teen accused of impersonating cop | Crime

ALBANY – Albany police have arrested a teen who was impersonating a police detective for several months.

Albany Police say 19-year-old Ryan C. Mann of Albany was arrested near Center Square on Tuesday after showing up to a gun call and representing himself as a police detective.

At the time of his arrest, Mann had in his possession a portable radio similar to ones the Albany Police Department uses. Albany Medical Center had reported a radio that fits the description as missing.

At 5 p.m. Tuesday, officers were investigating a person with a gun call and were involved in a brief foot pursuit which led to arrests on Thornton Street. Several minutes after the call went out Mann showed up on the scene.

He was arrested by Officer Michael Geraci after being recognized as the individual responding to police calls.

Mann also had an Oakland County, Calif. police badge, a bulletproof vest and a cell phone application downloaded for the Albany Police radio.

In an interview, Mann admitted to impersonating a police detective for the past several months, identifying himself as Detective Ruff.

He was charged with criminal possession of stolen property and was arraigned in Albany City Criminal Court Wednesday morning.

Police say there is no evidence that Mann was targeting anyone of anything for gain or to threaten anyone. He was scheduled for a mental health evaluation and the investigation is continuing.