Police imposter arrested

POUGHKEEPSIE -- Detectives of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a 25-year-old City of Poughkeepsie man for the crime of criminal impersonation in the first degree, a felony.

It is alleged that Joshua Himelstein, a part-time security guard, is accused of impersonating a deputy sheriff while he was a customer at Mahoney’s on Main Street in the City of Poughkeepsie, on January 25, 2008.

Detectives said that while he was a patron, he threatened several customers and employees there. He showed a badge that has since been recovered. The shield appeared very similar to the six point star that deputy sheriffs are issued.

Himelstein is currently employed by the Dutchess County Department of Public Works, and works as an evening security guard at the County Office Complex on Market Street in Poughkeepsie.