Man charged with impersonating police

PARKVILLE, Md. - Baltimore County Police arrested a 59-year-old Parkville man, after they say they found him actively impersonating a Virginia State Police trooper.  

Derek Propalis is on home detention awaiting trial. 

A Baltimore County officer on routine patrol in Parkville last month when they caught a 2006 Crown Victoria speeding.

The officer noticed Propalis was wearing a Virginia State Police uniform. He also saw that  Propalis' car was equipped with emergency lights, a laptop computer, a spotlight, a siren, and a video recorder. 

Investigators later determined the recorder and laptop didn't work.

The County officer began asking questions and soon discovered Propalis was not and never had been a Virginia State Police trooper.

Detectives obtained a warrant and searched Propalis'  home.

Inside they found uniforms and badges from several more police agencies including Baltimore County Police, Baltimore City Police, Maryland State Police, Minneapolis Police, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, and the United States Marine Corps Military Police.

Detectives also found several real and replica weapons, ammunition, gun belts, pepper spray, inert hand grenades, marijuana, and radios.

Police say they are concerned Propalis may have been impersonating police for some time by conducting fake traffic stops and engaging in police activities.

Police are asking anyone who believes they encountered Propalis while he was impersonating an officer to call them immediately at (410) 307-2020.