28-year old Gregory Paul Vella is charged with one count of impersonating law enforcement officer and two counts of obtaining property by false pretense. He is being held under a $15,000 bond in the Catawba County Detention Center.
Reports indicate officers tracked Vella based on tips received after a Facebook post.
Police say Vella lied about being an officer in order to get police discounts at the Academy Sports store in Hickory.
Photos: Hickory Police Department
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