YORKTOWN, N.Y. — A 42-year-old Putnam Valley man was arrested on Wednesday after allegedly impersonating a police officer and attacking a 16-year-old girl in the Shrub Oak Shopping Center parking lot, near the time of dismissal at Lakeland High School.
According to the Yorktown Police Department, Charles Santiago pulled his vehicle in front of the teenager as she was walking, exited his car wearing a police-style badge around his neck, and falsely identified himself as law enforcement. Police said that Santiago then allegedly shoved the girl against the building, took her phone while she was recording him, and threw her to the ground, causing injuries.
Two bystanders intervened, separating Santiago from the victim. Yorktown Police then arrested Santiago at the scene, and he was processed at the department.
The victim was treated and released at a local hospital. Her current condition is not known.
Santiago was charged with second-degree robbery, a class C felony and first-degree criminal impersonation of a police officer, a class E felony. He was also charged with three class A misdemeanors including second-degree reckless endangerment, acting in a manner injurious to a child, and third-degree assault.
Following his arrest, he was arraigned at the Yorktown Justice Court by Judge Aviah Cohen-Pierson, who issued a temporary order of protection for the victim. Bail was set at $3,500 cash, which Santiago later posted before being released.
Santiago is due back in court on March 20 at 6 p.m.
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