NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Police arrested a man on Thursday for impersonating an FBI agent and tricking a woman into going to a “safe house” on Long Island, Suffolk County Police said.
The suspect, Brandon Knapp, 27, allegedly contacted a 28-year-old woman through social media about something she had posted online.
The victim then invited Knapp to a relative’s home in Commack.
There, Knapp identified himself as an FBI agent and convinced her that he could escort her to a “safe house” for protection, according to police, who didn't say what she wanted protection from.
The woman agreed to go with Knapp and got into a 2004 Mercedes Benz.
A worried family member called the victim on her cellphone. Alarmed by the conversation, the relative called the police.
The police later traced the location of the woman's phone and the victim was found after being dropped off by Knapp at a local restaurant, and officers took her to the nearest police station.
Following an investigation Knapp was found sitting in the Mercedes in Riverhead and surrendered himself outside 55 Whitebrook Dr. at around 10:11 p.m.
He is now being charged with criminal impersonation and unlawful imprisonment.