ST. PAUL (WCCO) — A 48-year-old St. Paul man allegedly impersonated a police officer and burglarized victims in the process, according the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office.
Morgan Terrett Wilson entered a house at noon on Feb. 1 claiming to be a St. Paul police officer, a criminal complaint says.
Wilson allegedly displayed a badge and a Taser before asking the homeowner’s 17-year-old son if he had been involved in a robbery. He then handcuffed the teen, took his wallet and looked at his ID. He then took out $70 from the boy’s wallet. He also handcuffed one of the homeowner’s friends. After more questions and searching the house, Wilson left the home with $290. He told the victims he’d come back if the money wasn’t stolen.
The female victim didn’t call police immediately because she thought he was a police officer, but after a while, she became concerned and reported the incident.
The next day, St. Paul police were dispatched to two residences, one on Iglehart Avenue and another on Marshall Avenue, on reports of a man impersonating a police.
Soon after, a K-9 unit was able to track fresh footprints in the snow to a nearby alley, where police observed a man matching the description of the suspect. When Wilson saw police, he tried running but was quickly apprehended.
Wilson denied impersonating a police officer and said he was in the area taking pictures of homes for a client. However, the victims positively identified him as the suspect.
Wilson now faces one count of first-degree burglary and two counts of false imprisonment, which are all felonies. If convicted, he could face a maximum potential sentence of 26 years in prison and/or a $45,000 fine.
