Volusia County

Intoxicated motorcyclist arrested after showing fake police badges following traffic stop, officers say

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. — A Daytona Beach Shores police officer said an intoxicated motorcyclist showed him three different fake law enforcement badges following a traffic stop on Friday.

Officers said James Di Polito, 60, falsely claimed he was a retired reserve officer after he was pulled over for driving 52 mph in a 35 mph speed limit zone of South Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach Shores.

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The officer who pulled Di Polito over said the man tried to discreetly flash the officer the badges while being questioned. According to a charging affidavit, after being asked if he was a police officer and saying yes, he quickly changed his story saying instead that he had many family members who worked in law enforcement.

When asked why he lied, according to the affidavit, Di Polito said he got nervous.

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Officers said Di Polito smelled strongly of alcohol and failed several sobriety tests.

He was arrested and charged with impersonating a law enforcement officer, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and possession of a new or legend drug without a prescription.


Sarah Wilson

Sarah Wilson, WFTV.com

Sarah Wilson joined WFTV Channel 9 in 2018 as a digital producer after working as an award-winning newspaper reporter for nearly a decade in various communities across Central Florida.