Police: Cabbie Duped by Phony Cop

A Boston man was arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer after commandeering a taxi near Massachusetts Avenue and Washington Street early Monday morning, according to police.

According to a BPDNews.com report, Michael Losi, 24, was arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer, larceny of a motor vehicle and malicious destruction of property after a brief foot chase in Roxbury that originated when he allegedly told a cab driver he was a cop in the midst of a pursuit.

Around 3:30 a.m., police said they were on patrol in the vicinity of Mass. Ave. and Washington Street when they were motioned over by a cabbie, who reported a white male had commandeered his taxi after claiming to be a police officer.

According to the taxi driver, the suspect said: “I’m chasing somebody. Give me your cab, I’m a cop,” before handing him a police hat and driving off.

The cab’s dispatcher was able to track the vehicle via GPS, and officers were able to locate it on Warren Street in Roxbury.

While approaching the cab, police said they observed a man matching the description of the suspect sitting on a nearby bench and attempted to confront him, touching off a short foot pursuit.

After police apprehended the suspect, the taxi driver was able to identify him as the man who took the cab, according to the report.