Man allegedly poses as police officer in Chinatown incident

By Stewart Bishop, Globe Correspondent

A New York man was arrested today after allegedly impersonating a police officer while attempting to get into an apartment in Chinatown, Boston Police said.

Hector Rincon

At about 1:45 p.m., an officer was performing a paid detail when a man approached who was frantically waving his arms, speaking Chinese, and pointing in the direction of another man, said Officer Joe Zanoli, a police spokesman. Police approached the other man and asked him to stop. The man then took off running.

After a brief chase, officers apprehended 26-year-old Hector Rincon. Rincon, who had a black wallet with law enforcement markings, was held until a Chinese-speaking officer arrived.

The victim told police Rincon had knocked on his door, flashed a badge, and attempted to force his way into the apartment. The victim was able to block his entry, and the man left, Zanoli said.

The victim followed the man into the street, where he observed him in the company of two other individuals who were dressed in similar clothes, one with what looked to be a two-way radio and earpiece.

Rincon was charged with impersonating a police officer, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Zanoli said police are looking for the other two men seen by the victim. Rincon is scheduled to be arraigned Friday.