February 26, 2013 at 11:52 AM
Fake Seattle cop pulls off robbery with box of porn
Seattle police say a man wanted for impersonating a cop and robbing unsuspecting people at Volunteer Park is still at it. Police have been searching for Ryan James Purdy, aka Tracy Byers, 46 (pictured at right), since December, after he allegedly flashed a fake badge and robbed several people in Volunteer Park.
More recently, police say Purdy robbed a man around 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 10 near North 50th Street and Woodland Park Avenue North at Woodland Park. The victim was approached by a man believed to Purdy, who asked him to examine a box of pornographic magazines left in the grass inside the park.
The victim, concerned children in the park would find the magazines, picked up the box and took it to his car, police said.
The man believed to be Purdy followed the victim and climbed inside his car. He then flashed a badge, claimed he was doing a “drug sting” and said he needed to pat down the victim, police said.
During the pat-down, the man took the victim’s wallet, rifled through it and returned it, according to police. The “cop” then retrieved the box of magazines and left, police say. The victim drove off.
About an hour later, the victim realized his bank card was missing from his wallet had since been used at a grocery store, according to police.
In a separate incident, police say they believe Purdy knocked on the door of a Capitol Hill home and told a woman there that he was a federal agent. The woman slammed the door in his face. A police account did not give the date of this incident.
Anyone with more information about Purdy is asked to call the Seattle Police Department’s robbery unit at 206-684-5535, or 911.
Comments | More in The Blotter | Topics: impersonating a police officer, robbery, Seattle
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