Police Arrest Veteran Accused Of Posing As Cop, Threatening Students
March 1, 2013 9:14 PM
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(Photo Credit: KDKA)     

(Photo Credit: KDKA)
Paul Martino     

Reporting Paul Martino
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Paul Martino, Charges, veteran, Arrest, West Mifflin, Marine, Police Impersonator, Marines, Iraq War, Morton Plan, Buchanan Avenue, Bryce Vargo     

WEST MIFFLIN (KDKA) — Police have arrested a local veteran who is accused of approaching three middle school students in West Mifflin, claiming to be a police officer.

The kids say the suspect, Bryce Vargo, yelled obscenities at them and then showed a gun.

The ex-Marine is a veteran of the Iraq War. But since returning home to West Mifflin, Vargo has had trouble with the law.

His latest arrest occurred in the Morton Plan in West Mifflin. Vargo is accused of approaching the three school students who were waiting for their bus on Buchanan Avenue.

Police say Vargo is accused of swearing at the children, telling them he was a cop and placing a gun on his lap.

He was eventually tracked down by West Mifflin Police and taken to the Allegheny County Jail. That’s because the 32-year-old Vargo was already on parole.

He pled guilty last year to aggravated assault and reckless endangering another person.

For this latest arrest, he’s charged with impersonating a public servant and some weapons violations.

Police say they are concerned the former Marine may have mental problems.