Local

Man arrested, accused of posing as GBI agent

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — A Johns Creek man is accused of posing as a Georgia Bureau of Investigations agent so he could score a date.

Deontre Thomas, 23, was arrested this week by Roswell police on felony charges of impersonating an officer.

Last Saturday, police told Channel 2's Mike Petchenik they responded to a report of a car break-in at Roswell's Hembree Park.

Police said Thomas, who was there watching a relative's Little League game, came to the scene wearing a GBI crime scene investigation vest. Police do not believe he broke into the car.

"(He) said he would be more than happy to help the officers get fingerprints from the car," said Officer Lisa Holland. "He said he was off duty, in his own car."

Holland said officers didn't question his credentials at the time. A few days later, Holland said a detective called the car break-in victim to follow up.

"The victim says, 'Oh, you already made an arrest,'" said Holland. "The detective says, 'No, we didn't make an arrest. ' She says, 'Yes, we received a call from the GBI agent from the day my car was broken into.'"

Holland said Thomas told the victim that the GBI had sent out a search team into the woods to recover her purse.

"They wouldn't get involved in an entering auto case like this," Holland said.

Holland said the detective brought Thomas in for questioning and he admitted that he was lying about being an agent and that he purchased the vest for $40 on a police supply company website.

"He admitted to getting deep into this lie, it snowballed out of control," she said. "We believe he was trying to get the victim of the entering auto's phone number. He wanted to talk to her."

Petchenik confirmed with GBI Spokeswoman Sherry Lang that Thomas has never been employed with the agency. She said it's possible he applied for a position, but she could find no immediate record of this.

The victim, Lauren Wood, told Petchenik she believes Thomas had good intentions, but that things got out of hand.

Thomas' aunt told Petchenik the allegations are "shocking" to his family.

"He's a really good person, has a really good heart, very helpful," said Nichole Kagwisa. "He has a passion for children and is basically a person who wants to do well for himself such that he can help his family and friends."