PORT ORANGE, FL – A woman in Volusia County has been charged with impersonating a police officer after an unusual encounter in a Walmart parking lot. The incident unfolded when Alexis Rosati allegedly flashed a law enforcement badge and issued a fake traffic warning to a man over a parking dispute.
Authorities revealed that while the badge was genuine, it did not belong to Rosati. Instead, it was reported to have been taken from a retired law enforcement officer whom Rosati was caring for. The client, unaware of the badge’s disappearance, became an unwitting participant in Rosati’s alleged ruse.
The episode began when a customer parked in a designated law enforcement space at the Walmart on Clyde Morris Boulevard. Rosati approached the individual, presenting a handwritten traffic warning on notebook paper. The situation escalated when she displayed the badge, prompting the customer to question her authority and begin recording the interaction.
Port Orange police were notified of the incident, leading to an investigation. They suspect Rosati sought to wield power through her actions, a common motive in cases of impersonation. According to former law enforcement officers, individuals accused of such crimes often crave the authority they falsely claim.
Officials advise the public to gather as much information as possible if they suspect someone is impersonating a police officer. They caution against escalating the situation, noting that impostors may be armed. The recommended course of action is to document the encounter discreetly and report it to actual law enforcement promptly.
Rosati, who works as a caregiver, now faces charges for her alleged impersonation. Her actions have raised awareness about the potential dangers of interacting with fake officers and the importance of verifying credentials in suspicious situations.