Man Impersonating Cop Arrested at Granite Run Mall

A Chester man was arrested and charged Friday in connection with impersonating a police officer and looking to shot a person who had threatened him earlier in the month, according to

Lawrence Henry Benson, Jr., 22, was charged with impersonating a public servant, theft by unlawful taking and other related charges, according to State Police.

Police were dispatched to the at about 6:11 p.m. on March 9 for a report of man, who was impersonating an Amtrak police officer, walking around with a firearm on his hip, according to State Police.

Benson later admitted to police that he was not an Amtrak police officer but was a security guard for Amtrak, according to State Polcie.

Benson explained to police that the reason he appeared as an officer was because he was looking for a person who threatened him on March 1 and Benson indicated that if he had found the person who had threatened him, he would have shot him in the mall, according to State Police.

Benson also told police that he did not have permission from his father to have in his possession a firearm and bullet proof vest, according to State Police.

Benson was arraigned at District Court 32-2-48. He posted 10 percent of $50,000 bail through a bail bondsman, after spending the weekend in county prison, according to court documents. He is awaiting a preliminary hearing.

Granite Run Mall security has increased since it came under new management last April, the mall's director of marketing told the Delaware County Daily Times.