Brick Men Posed As Cops to Rob Man's Wallet, Police Say

Police arrested three men, two from Brick, in Red Bank Saturday night after they allegedly impersonated a police officer in order to steal a wallet.

According to police, an unidentified male reported his wallet had been stolen by three people driving in a sports utility vehicle. The victim told police he was walking in the area of Monmouth and Pearl streets when he was approached by the vehicle.

One of the occupants told the victim he was a police officer, flashed a badge and ordered him to turn over his wallet.

Minutes later, Sgt. Errico Vescio observed the suspects while on patrol and pulled over the vehicle in which they were riding. The three men were then taken into custody.

William Paine, 34, Richard Ryan, 28, both of Brick, and James Lapinski, 29, of Middletown were each charged with robbery; unlawful possession of a weapon, a police baton; and impersonating a police officer.

Bail was set at $105,000 for each suspect, polcie said.

Paine and Ryan remain lodged in the Monmouth County Jail on Sunday, according to public records.

Authorities are now conducting a follow-up investigation to determine if similar incidents had occurred in Red Bank or neighboring towns.