[Editor's note: Arrest information is supplied by the Fairfield Police Department. It does not indicate convictions.]
Update, May 29, 11:30 p.m.
The Southport Fire Department stated in a press release Wednesday that the staff has been notified of the arrest and, "as with all cases alleging serious misconduct," Ralph Arnone "was immediately suspended pending an internal investigation and court findings."
Original Story, May 29
A volunteer firefighter was arrested Friday after he allegedly impersonated a police officer by waving a badge at another driver on Kings Highway East, police said.
Ralph Arnone, 52, of Bridgeport, reportedly called police Friday to say he was following a vehicle that had just passed a bus while the bus's red lights were flashing, according to the report.
Arnone told police he followed the vehicle into the Syms parking lot on Black Rock Turnpike.
Officers responded and spoke to the other driver, who told police that Arnone had waved a badge at her and motioned for her to pull over. She continued through the intersection and he reportedly swerved into her lane and told her again to pull over, according to the report, so she stopped in the Syms parking lot.
The woman told police that Arnone got out of his car, told her he was a police officer, and again showed his badge. The badge was issued by the Southport Fire Department and thus not a valid police badge.
Arnone was charged with impersonating a police officer, reckless driving, and breach of peace. He was released on a promise to appear in court on May 31.
Police later determined that the woman did not violate an traffic regulations, as the school bus had been on the other side of the median on Kings Highway East when the woman drove past it, Police Chief Gary MacNamara said.
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