Alleged Police Impersonator Caught Hiding in Bushes

A man involved in by the Howard County Police posed as a police officer, snatched a phone from the victim’s hand and then ripped a panel off of the victim’s car, according to charging documents.

Police ultimately found Brian Paul Moore, 35, of Gaithersburg, hiding in the bushes in Clarksville, according to the documents. He faces charges for impersonating a police officer, assault, robbery and theft. 

According to the documents, Moore was driving behind the victim on July 25 when he crossed the double line to pass him, striking the victim’s car twice. 

The victim stopped his car at Brighton Dam Road and Highland Road and got out of his car. That’s when, according to the charging document, Moore approached with a metal badge in a leather holder that read “Executive Protection Agent” and “announced himself as a cop.”

According to the charging document, the victim then followed Moore to the intersection of Brighton Dam Road and Springdale Drive where he pulled over and called police.

The victim said that’s when Moore approached his car, grabbed his wrist and snatched the phone from his hand. Then, the victim said, Moore ripped a side panel off of the victim’s car and threw it at him. Moore then got in his car and drove away, the victim said.

Moore was not in his car when police found it on Springdale Drive. In the car, police said they found concealed weapons licenses for Florida and Virginia and his birth certificate. Moore’s license was revoked and suspended.

According to the charging document, police found Moore “hiding in the vegetation located next to a nearby pond.”

Moore faces two charges of assault and destruction of property and one charge of robbery, theft and impersonating a police officer.