The man Old Saybrook police arrested on Monday night had the police badge and a police ID, but he was not a cop, according to police, and an alert massage therapist is the one who tipped off authorities.
It took awhile for police to release David Walshe's name because he has so many aliases that police are still trying to pin down his true identity.
Police said Walshe, 44, of Greene, Rhode Island, stopped at the CVS pharmacy on Monday, showed a police badge and police ID, and bought a few things with a stolen credit card, then went for a spa treatment at the Saybrook Point Inn.
It turns out, he used a gift card there that he purchased with the stolen credit card, police said.
An alert massage therapist recognized the man as someone who bought things with a stolen credit card in the past and called police.
Walshe took off running when cops arrived and led officers on a foot chase throughout the first floor and basement levels of the hotel, police said, but police cornered him and arrested him.
Police said they expect a warrant on Tuesday afternoon charging Walshe with robbery, impersonating a police officer, interfering with an officer and escape from custody.
He will face another 27 counts for a variety of charges, police said.
