A Temple University student has been charged with impersonating police and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement personnel over the weekend in Philadelphia.
On Saturday night, two suspects were reportedly impersonating law enforcement with shirts saying “police” and “ICE,” while a third person recorded them at a Philadelphia business, the university said in a release.
Two of the suspects earlier tried to enter a pair of residence halls on the school’s campus before the third suspect, Aidan Steigelmann, 22, entered the building, talked to them and left with them in a Jaguar SUV.
All three allegedly visited the business in question, an Insomnia Cookies location, and continuing the impersonation, according to an arrest report posted on X by WTXF-TV reporter Steve Keeley.
The cookie company told the Philadelphia Inquirer that none of its employees present were injured, and that they “take the well being of our Insomniacs extremely seriously, and are cooperating with local law enforcement officials on this matter.”
Both active students are now on interim suspension, Temple said Tuesday. Mr. Steigelmann, who has been charged with impersonating law enforcement, is one of those students, Temple confirmed to WPVI-TV.
The other two suspects have not yet been publicly identified, arrested or charged, and remain under investigation, Temple said.
“Any student found responsible for this conduct will be subject to disciplinary action under the Student Conduct Code, up to and including expulsion. Impersonating law enforcement officers is a crime. This behavior and harassment of Temple community members will not be tolerated,” the school wrote.
ICE told WTXF-TV that ‘The impersonation of any law enforcement officer is not only dangerous, but illegal … Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and agents are highly trained and dedicated professionals … Anyone who suspects they have encountered an imposter is encouraged to contact local law enforcement.”
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.