The East Hartford man caught kidnapping and robbing a victim while impersonating a police detective has a criminal record, and police believe he may be responsible for five other recent incidents in Hartford.
John O'Connor, 48, of East Hartford, was caught while robbing and kidnapping a victim in Hartford on Saturday morning. O'Connor told police he was glad he had been caught and admitted to impersonating an officer to support his drug habits, according to the incident report.
According to the report, the victim was walking to work on Franklin Avenue in Hartford when O'Connor drove up to him, stopped him and asked for his identification. O'Connor then ordered the victim to get into his car and said he would drive him to his workplace.
O'Connor was driving on Jefferson Street when officers pulled him over. "You got me; you got me," he said while being handcuffed, the report says. The victim was still in his car, but O'Connor did not have any police memborabilia with him.
Police believe O'Connor may be connected to five other incidents in Hartford over the past week during which he approached people and identified himself as a detective.
Court records show O'Connor has a lengthy record of impersonating an officer in other cities, including Meriden, New Haven and Bridgeport.
"John O'Connor is not a police officer. He's been impersonating a cop for a long time. We're glad to have him off the street," said Hartford police spokesman Deputy Chief Brian Foley. "We have reason to believe he may have been targeting immigrants who would fear coming forward to the police."
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According to police, O'Connor would take the victims' wallets while asking them to show their identification.
During one incident, O'Connor allegedly kidnapped a 63-year-old who spoke only Spanish, then brought the victim to an ATM to withdraw money. In each case, O'Connor displayed a police badge hanging around his neck, according to police.
O'Connor is charged with second-degree kidnapping, third-degree robbery and impersonating a police officer in connection with Saturday's incident. He's being held on $250,000 bond.
Police said O'Connor is a convicted felon wanted for probation and parole violations. Officers are investigating the previous incidents and said they expect to file additional charges.
Police said he may be unreported incidents in the area. Victims are urged to contact police.
O'Connor is described as a white man in his 40s with short, dark hair. Police said he is clean-shaven and does not have an accent or any tattoos.
Police ask anyone with information to contact Hartford police Sgt. Brandon O'Brien at 860-757-4089.
