Thursday, November 14, 2024

Suspect Arrested, Charged After Impersonating JCCPD Officer and Detaining Two Juveniles

A James City County Police car
(WYDaily/Courtesy JCCPD)

JAMES CITY COUNTY — A James City County resident was arrested and charged Saturday evening for Abduction/Kidnapping and Impersonation of a Police Officer after detaining two juveniles in the Fenwick Hills neighborhood on Friday, according to the James City County Police Department.

James City County Police Department said it received the call Friday from a “concerned individual” who reported he had detained the two juveniles for suspicious activity and claimed to be an off-duty police officer. He did not specify a jurisdiction.

Upon arrival, officers learned that the caller was Cody Hardin, who had detained the two juveniles. The responding officer promptly released the children to their parents.

Police added at that time, the responding officer was not aware that the caller had claimed to be an off-duty officer, nor were they aware that the caller identified himself to the parents of the juveniles as a James City County Officer. Upon learning about the James City County impersonation claims, officers initiated an investigation.

The investigation revealed Hardin had detained the juveniles while posing as a law enforcement officer and using a Dodge Charger that police said shared a resemblance to a police vehicle. Police charged Hardin with unlawfully detaining the children while impersonating a law enforcement officer and secured warrants for his arrest.

Hardin is not, and has never been, a James City County Police Officer, the department said.

At approximately 9:20 p.m. on Saturday, officers executed the arrest warrants and took Hardin into custody at his residence in the 3400 block of Colony Mill Road. Police also seized the vehicle as evidence. He was subsequently transported to the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.

Hardin is facing the following charges:

  • Abduction/Kidnapping
  • Impersonation of a Police Officer

The investigation remains active, police said.

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