WALPOLE, Mass. — FOX25 investigates has uncovered criminal charges being brought against a local dentist who police say was posing as a sheriff's deputy during a disagreement in a parking lot.
Police say this isn't the first time this man has flashed a badge.
The full-time dentist, Hazem Wehbe, is connected to a Sheriff's Office but police say his role is fundraising - not law enforcement.
But, one local man said that's exactly what he was trying to do in a parking lot at a mall in Walpole.
"A car comes flying around the side of us and a guy jumps out and says you don't know who you are messing with and pulled his badge out,” Sean Noyes said.
Noyes was with his wife and 6-month-old child Sunday when he says they beeped at a car that was blocking the travel lane.
"He starts swearing at us and saying 'give us your ID' and reaches past my wife in the front seat to me and says 'give me your ID, give me your ID,'” Noyes said.
Noyes’ wife took photos showing the driver and some of the law enforcement emblems on the Jaguar he was driving.
Wehbe is a member of the Worcester County Reserve Sheriff’s Association.
"When you join, we tell them you are not law enforcement and you're authorized to carry a badge, no law enforcement authority. It's a community service group,” Worcester County Sheriff’s Superintendent David Tuttle said.
Tuttle told FOX25 Wehbe was just supposed to volunteer at a picnic, help with a coat drive, and collect food.
According to Tuttle, volunteer members of the reserve sheriff’s association have not been allowed to carry badges since 2011 and they have never had police powers.
The Worcester County Reserve Sheriff website describes the role as a position in the community with a willingness to perform community service and have the ability to be an asset to the Worcester County Sheriff's department.
During the investigation, Dedham police reported Wehbe had pulled out a badge at an accident in the past.
FOX25 tried talking to Wehbe at his West Roxbury dental office, but his office said he was busy and they took our number.
Walpole police tell FOX25 Investigates they are charging Wehbe with impersonating a police officer, a misdemeanor.
Police Chief John Carmichael says Wehbe told them he pulled out the badge because of the confrontation.
"At that point he felt threatened that it was escalating so that's why he identified himself as a sheriff's deputy and that's why he displayed the badge"
The Worcester County Sheriff's Office told FOX25 they suspended Wehbe's membership and their internal affairs went to his dental office Tuesday to get the badge in question. They say it was one of the old badges from years ago that members were allowed to have as a perk until the rules changed in 2011.
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