Charleroi man accused of impersonating officer
A Charleroi man was charged Friday by Charleroi Regional police with impersonating a public servant after he allegedly claimed to be an undercover officer for the department while at a McKean Avenue restaurant.
Christopher Shane Showman, 32, of 601 Fallowfield Ave., allegedly made the claim Thursday while causing a disturbance at River House Cafe.
A caller told police a man, later identified as Showman, was going around with a photograph asking customers if they knew the person. Police talked with the manager, who said she asked Showman to stop bothering customers. Showman allegedly told her he was an undercover officer for Charleroi and was working on a case. When he refused her order to leave the restaurant, two men escorted him from the building.
After getting a description, his possible address and his name from another officer, police went to Showman’s apartment. He did not answer the door but was later spotted walking in the 500 block of Fallowfield. When asked why he was claiming to be an undercover officer, Showman reportedly told police he was trying to find out who sold some pills to his friend.
The charge was sent by summons from the office of District Judge Larry Hopkins. Showman is scheduled for an April 27 preliminary hearing before Hopkins.