Police seek man who impersonated cop in Freeport

Police are searching for a man who they said followed a woman Thursday evening on a street in Freeport, telling her he was a police officer and yelling at her to get into his vehicle, then pursued her into a nearby business when she attempted to flee.

The incident began at about 8 p.m. near Church Street and Main Street, Nassau County police said.

It was then, police said, that the woman, identified as 38 years old, was approached by a man driving a white minivan with a brown lower panel. Police said the man followed the woman and "continually yelled at her to get into the minivan."

She kept walking.

Police said the man identified himself as a police officer and "threatened to arrest her."

She ran into a check cashing store at 10 E. Sunrise Hwy.

Police said the man followed her inside, demanding that store employees open a security door -- identifying himself, again, as a police officer.

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The employees refused to comply with the man's orders, police said, instead calling police. The man then fled.

Police said the man was 6-foot with a medium build, dirty blonde hair, and was wearing a black trenchcoat. He is believed to be in his 40s. Police asking any with information about the suspect or similar incidents to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential, police said.