WEST HAVEN, CT (WFSB) -
For the second time in two days, a West Haven man has been arrested for impersonating a police officer.
On Aug. 25, police officers were called to the scene on Campbell Avenue and Atwater Street after receiving reports that a suspicious man was identifying himself as a police officer.
Police said a woman told them that a man wearing a T-shirt with the words Police Narcotics approached two women and began talking on his cell phone requesting "black and whites" to respond to his location.
The woman said the man, who was later identified as Tuy Chhinnarith, removed a pair of handcuffs from his backpack and walked towards one of them and attempted to handcuff her.
The women screamed and said they were calling police, and that's when Chhinnarith, 22, of Valleybrook Road, fled the area.
Police said they found Chhinnarith a short time later and was in possession of the T-shirt and two pairs of handcuffs.
Two days later, police said, Chhinnarith returned to a business on Campbell Avenue and explained to people there that his arrest was all part of an undercover police operation he was a part of.
Police were notified of Chhinnarith's actions and he was found at his home and arrested again.
He was again charged with impersonation of a police officer and was held in lieu of bond.
On Tuesday, he appeared in Superior Court in New Haven and his bond was set at $5,000.
Chhinnarith's father said he did not know what happened to his son and neighbors said the recent actions by Chhinnarith were "out of character."
"He's a quiet kid, he always seems to laugh," said one of his neighbors. "He always had a smile on his face. He's helpful."
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For the second time in two days, a West Haven man has been arrested for impersonating a police officer.
