By Michael Morton
Elliot Russell, 43, of 108-16 227th St. was charged with robbery, criminal possession of a forged instrument, criminal impersonation, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a police uniform or emblem, the Queens district attorney said.
Russell was arraigned in State Supreme Court in Kew Gardens last Thursday, with bail posted at $100,000, the DA said. His next court appearance was scheduled for May 24. If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison, the DA said.
In the criminal complaint, police told the district attorney's office that on May 4 at 12:30 a.m. Russell approached two men near 50th Avenue and 47th Street in Woodside and displayed what the victims thought was a police badge. Russell ordered the men to raise their hands in the air and allegedly took their wallets, one of which contained $140, police said. He then entered his car, later identified as a 1991 Chevy Cavalier, and sped away, police said.
Later at 1:50 a.m., Russell allegedly robbed another man in the same manner near 50th Avenue and 48th Street in the same neighborhood, according to the complaint. The man alerted police after having noted Russell's license plate number as Russell drove away, the complaint said.
At 3:30 a.m. Russell was stopped by officers from the 105th Precinct near 113th Avenue and 212th Street in Queens Village, police said. The officers said they found a pipe, cocaine, multiple wallets, loose cash and a forged police detective's shield in the Chevy.
The officers said Russell told them the badge was issued by the DEP, for which he worked. But members of the DEP police department said Russell was not one of their officers and was not authorized to carry a badge.
A DEP spokesman said Russell was hired by the department in 2001 as an apprentice construction laborer to dig up streets and work on sewers. The spokesman said the department was reviewing its termination procedure, pending the outcome of Russell's case. He was not a model employee, the spokesman said.
“He had numerous absences we were concerned about,” the spokesman said.
Police said the department's Impersonation Investigation Unit was looking for anyone else alleging that Russell had robbed them. Those with information have been asked to call 800-577-TIPS.
Reach reporter Michael Morton by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by calling 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
