'Transformers' Paintjob Leads to Arrest for Impersonating Cop
A Maserati Gran Turismo is the kind of car that's guaranteed to get attention.
A Maserati Gran Turismo painted to look like one of the robots from the 'Transformers' movie series is guaranteed to get even more attention. Unfortunately, for one Massachusetts residents, this attention included being cited for impersonating a police officer, reports The Patriot Ledger.
Why is the man's lawyer calling the charges against his client "silly?"
Car Was Temporarily 'Dipped' To Resemble Movie Robot
According to the man's attorney, the owner of the car is a man in his late twenties who is a fan of Transformers, a movie series featuring alien robots who disguise themselves as everyday machines. One of these robots, named Barricade, transforms into a police car. The man had his car treated with a temporary plastic spray, known as "dipping" to resemble Barricade, with white doors on the all-black car and the police-style decals
The man was pulled over while driving the car earlier this month. And while he wasn't cited for speeding or any other traffic violations, he was issued a summons to appear on the charge of impersonating a police officer.
Impersonating a Police Officer
Under Massachusetts law, falsely assuming or pretending to be a police officer (or any number of other public officials, including a notary public, probation officer, or a medical examiner) is a crime punishable by a fine of up to $400 and up to a year in jail.
The man's lawyer told The Patriot Ledger that his client's paint job was "in no way, shape, or form" a crime. Unlike many of those cited for impersonating an officer, the man wasn't attempting to pull over other drivers or act like a police officer. The man's also didn't have police-style lights on his car.
The man's lawyer says his client plans on removing the temporary decorations, although he isn't planning to do so until after he drives to court for his first hearing on September 4th.
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Related Resources:
- Man Who Painted Maserati To Resemble 'Transformers' Robot Accused Of Impersonating Cop (The Associated Press)
- 'Affluenza' Teen's Dad Arrested for Impersonating a Cop (FindLaw's Blotter)
- Fake Cop Peed In Kid's Hat, Hit On Women (FindLaw's Legally Weird)
- Is a Fake Cop Murdering Miss. Motorists? (FindLaw's Blotter)