Cops: Drunk Man Tells State Trooper He’s with the State Police

Update: Neil Anand was found not guilty of impersonating a public servant, but guilty in early 2015 of DUI, too slow for conditions, disregarding traffic lane, and careless driving.

Driving drunk is a bad idea. Impersonating a state trooper while being stopped for suspicion of DUI is even worse.

State police from the Trevose barracks filed court documents last week charging a Bensalem man with doing just that.

Neil Anand, 37, was stopped on northbound I-95 in Middletown on July 30 after a state trooper observed him driving slowly and erratically around 10:45 p.m.

When the trooper asked for the 37-year-old’s driver’s license, registration and insurance card, he provided a wallet with a gold badge in it, state police said. Anand then reportedly said he was also a state trooper.

The trooper wrote in court papers he asked where Anand was coming from and he stated he was a surgeon at a Philadelphia hospital and he was on call. “He also mentioned being a state trooper again,” according to court papers, which also said Anand denied having any drinks before driving.

During his interaction with Anand, the trooper noted the “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the vehicle,” according to court documents.

Anand got out of his vehicle and was unsteady on his feet, state police said, adding he was unable to perform sobriety tests.

While in custody, Anand is alleged to have mentioned he was a state trooper once again. State police said they found a gold state trooper badge with “PBA Surgeon” on it and a New York State Police courtesy card.

Anand, according to police, refused to allow for a blood draw at St. Mary Medical Center after his arrest.

Anand is charged via summons with DUI, impersonating a public servant and three traffic offenses. He will come before District Judge Daniel Baranoski for a preliminary hearing on September 17.

Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.