Police: Dover man impersonated officer

DOVER — A Dover man has been charged with impersonating a police officer at a Kennebunk, Maine, playground on Wednesday, and he’s facing a similar charge in his home city, where he was arrested.

Kennebunk Deputy Police Chief Michael Nugent said at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 7, Ryan K. Calista, 30, drove into the Parks and Recreation Center playground parking lot on Park Street at a high rate of speed, exited his vehicle wearing a police hat and police vest, identified himself as a police officer to adults there, and claimed to be looking for a missing 13-year-old boy.

Witnesses also reported Calista's truck was equipped with a flashing blue light, Nugent said.

Several adults who were at the playground with children became suspicious, Nugent said, when Calista refused to identify himself or give his name. They took photographs of him and his vehicle before he left the parking lot, Nugent said.

Investigating officers identified the man as Calista, who lives at 21 Isaac Lucas Circle in Dover, and coordinated with the Dover Police Department, Nugent said.

Dover police said at 6:23 p.m. Wednesday, less than two hours after they were contacted by Kennebunk police, they responded to a call from Waterloo Circle in Dover that eventually led to Calista's arrest. The caller reported a man wearing a yellow reflective traffic vest with the word “POLICE” emblazoned across it who asked for directions to Isaac Lucas Circle. The reporting party said the man had been operating a dark-colored pickup truck with a red and white flashing light, Dover police said.

Dover police said an officer went to Calista’s residence on Isaac Lucas Circle after taking the report on Waterloo Circle. The officer observed the Ram 1500 drive by the home. Another officer stopped the vehicle and confirmed it was operated by Calista, police said. A third officer responded to the area and found a yellow traffic vest and black knit hat. Both had the words “POLICE” on them and were discarded nearby, according to police.

Calista was questioned about the offense and taken into custody on a Class B felony charge of false personation charge as well as an existing bench warrant issued by the Rockingham County Superior Court, police said. He was released on personal recognizance bail pending arraignment on Nov. 29.

Calista was summonsed by Kennebunk police on a charge of impersonating a public servant, in addition to the charges he faces in New Hampshire, Nugent said. He is due to appear in Biddeford District Court on Feb. 20.

"The Kennebunk Police Department would like to emphasize that our plain clothes officers will still have their badges displayed, and will readily show their credentials if there is any doubt as to their identity," Nugent said.

Dover police ask anyone with information to call them at (603) 742-4646 or report tips anonymously via the Dover Crimeline (603) 749-6000 or at dovernhcrimeline.org.