Police: Man impersonated police officer in Brick, pulled over vehicle, took $5,000

A man impersonating a police officer pulled over a vehicle in Brick, searched the driver, and took $5,000 in cash, police said.

Michael Vence, 50, of Cedarbridge Avenue in Brick, pulled alongside the vehicle stopped at a traffic signal on Cedarbridge Avenue near the Mansion Nightclub, displayed what appeared to be a law enforcement badge, and told the driver he was a police officer, Brick Township Police Department spokesman Lawrence Petrola said. 

The driver complied with Vence’s order to pull over, believing he was a law enforcement officer, the spokesman said. 

The victim then exited the vehicle, and Vence performed a search, removing approximately $5,000 from the man, who was told to return to his vehicle, according to Petrola. 

Vence then fled from the scene, Petrola said. 

Brick Det. Daniel Waleski determined that Vence was possibly operating an unlicensed taxi service that catered to Mansion Nightclub patrons, the spokesman said, adding that Vence was taken into custody at the township’s police headquarters on July 21. 

Waleski signed complaints against Vence for impersonating a police officer and theft, with bail set at $20,000 with no ten percent option, Petrola said.

Vence posted bail and was released pending court, according to Petrola. 

“The investigation is continuing, and police are looking into the possibility that Vence may have victimized other patrons of the Mansion Nightclub by running an unauthorized taxi cab company,” Petrola said, adding that he may not have used his real name when interacting with fares. “Additional charges are pending. If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact Det. Daniel Waleski in the Brick Township Police Detective Bureau at (732) 262-1170.”