Manitoba man accused of using decommissioned police car to impersonate officer: RCMP

A 55-year-old man in northern Manitobahas been charged with impersonating a police officer and possession of a prohibited weapon, RCMP say.

Nelson House RCMP searched the man's home in Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation on Wednesday and found a BB gun, which looked like a handgun, and a decommissioned police vehicle with a red and white light bar, police said in a Thursday news release.

RCMP said they received a report Wednesday about a man in the community which is west of Thompson and about 670 kilometres north of Winnipeg who possiblyhadtwo handguns and a decommissioned police car with a working roof light.

Shortly after, the man drove the car to a community checkstop sitein place for COVID-19 measuresand told people there he would be conducting patrols, according to police.

A search warrant was issued for the man's house, wherepolice say they also found assorted ammunition, a tactical-style vest, handcuffs, police-style flashlights and bear mace wrapped in black tape.

The 55-year-old man is in custody and police say the investigation is ongoing.