NYPD looking for cop impersonator who tries to solicit money for sick kids

BRONX (WABC) -- Police are looking for a suspect in connection with three police impersonation incidents earlier this year.

The suspect is identified as 43-year-old Richard Gomez, who police say typically walks into a business, identifies himself as "Sergeant Russo from the NYPD" and requests a donation for sick children of police officers.

He allegedly went into Bagel Smith on Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg around 4 p.m. on April 24, Salsa Con Fuego Restaurant on Cedar Avenue in University Heights at 11:45 a.m. on April 27, and La Caridad Restaurant on West Kingsbridge Road in Kingsbridge Heights at 1:30 p.m. on April 27.

"He was presenting himself as a cop or a detective with a police officer plate," La Caridad spokesman Benny Rodriguez said. "(He asked for) as much as you can, and this guy, unfortunately, was ready to give $500."

Gomez allegedly asked for checks to be made out to his real name and also sent a sample check in hopes of scamming money from others, which officials say are huge red flags.

"That's when my boss was like, wait a minute, let me just confirm that this is legit," Salsa Con Feugo employee Eliana Sevilla said.

And that's when they were told it was a fraud.

"We kind of messed up because we let him know we were on to him," Sevilla said. "And then he didn't wind up showing. So at least if we would have said sure, come pick up the check, they could have caught him."

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call asked to call 800-577-TIPS.