Man, woman charged with impersonating police in South Philadelphia

SOUTH PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A man and a woman have been arrested for allegedly posing as police officers in South Philadelphia.

The suspects are identified as Terrance Jacobus, 48, of the 200 block of Federal Street and Kelli Rowan, 28, of the 100 block of Fernon Street.

They were arrested around 11:50 p.m. Wednesday and charged with impersonating, robbery, criminal conspiracy, theft and related offenses.

One of the incidents happened at 6:30 Sunday, just before sunrise on the 1600 block of East Passyunk Avenue.

Police said a 21-year-old male victim told them he was walking down the block when a gray or silver, four-door, compact vehicle stopped abruptly beside him, and the driver got out flashing a badge.

He announced himself as "police" and stated the victim fit the description of a person selling drugs. He then asked the man for ID, and the victim handed the suspect his wallet.

The impersonator frisked and searched him, got back in the vehicle and sped off down Passyunk Avenue.

Once the victim checked his wallet, he noticed $14 was missing and he called police.

Police said two similar incidents were reported two hours earlier at 4th and Jackson streets.

In the first case, a man was robbed of an undetermined amount of cash.

In the second incident, a 23-year-old woman told police while walking home she was approached by a male and female driving a silver Nissan.

Police said the male suspect showed the woman a badge, and stated he was a police officer. He told her to come to him, and stated if she resisted she would be arrested.

The woman ran, and the vehicle fled northbound on 5th Street.

Police tell Action News if you're stopped by a plainclothes officer you can ask to see their photo ID and their badge. You can also call 911, give your location and ask them to send a marked vehicle.