Heraklion: 44-year-old posed as police officer during taverna check – three arrested
Three arrests in Viannos following an incident at a taverna, where a customer falsely claimed to be a police officer and others freed a man who had been taken into custody from a police vehicle.
Three arrested at southern Heraklion taverna following false claim of police status
Three people were arrested in the early morning hours of Sunday, 30 August at a seaside village in southern Heraklion, Crete, following violent incidents that erupted during a police check at a taverna. According to Newsbeast, among those involved was a 44-year-old man who falsely claimed to be a police officer.
Police officers from Viannos Police Department went to the establishment following a complaint about loud music and disturbance of the peace during an event that was taking place. They proceeded to take the business owner into custody and placed him in the police vehicle; he cooperated and did not resist.
At this point the 44-year-old customer intervened, approaching the police officers in an aggressive manner and stating that he was also a member of the Greek Police. The officers checked his claim and established that he had no connection to the force, having apparently invoked police status falsely in order to obstruct the check.
The situation became increasingly tense when other people present reacted strongly to the owner's detention, threatening the police officers according to reports. Some of them reportedly opened the door of the police vehicle and freed the man who had already been placed in the vehicle.
The officers attempted to arrest those who were reported to be involved in the incident, with some people present putting up resistance. In total three people were taken into custody and charges were brought against them for resisting authority, disobedience and unlawful release of a detained person, according to local media reports.
The case is being investigated by the competent police authorities and the arrestees are being brought before the courts.
Source: Newsbeast