Man Impersonating Police Arrested

UPSHUR COUNTY — A Gregg County man who authorities said burglarized homes while pretending to be a law enforcement officer is arrested. 45-year-old Edward Charles Lee is being held in Upshur County Jail on bonds totaling $150,000 on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and impersonation of a public servant. He also is being held without bond on a federal detainer. The Upshur County Sheriff�s Office has recovered $30,000 to $50,000 worth of stolen property, including guns, jewelry and electronics, and is trying to return it to its owners.

Lee, who was arrested April 7, is a suspect in other burglaries in the area, Roberts said. On April 4, the sheriff�s office received two calls about home burglaries in the Indian Rock community. Later that day, a resident returned home and confronted a suspect in the house, who identified himself as a law enforcement officer, Roberts said. The homeowner wrote down information from the man�s vehicle, including the license plate, and turned it into the sheriff�s office, which started an investigation, Roberts said.

When Lee was arrested, he also had stolen badges and identification related to law enforcement on him, Roberts said. Jewelry found in his pockets had been stolen earlier that morning in Overton, Roberts said.