Nutley police said they found the man in possession of a fake gun and other police paraphernalia.
NUTLEY -- Taking photos of himself dressed up as a police officer and posing with a fake gun has gotten a New Jersey man arrested, authorities said.
Nutley police said they received reports last week that 19-year-old Christopher Ciccone, of Jackson, was impersonating a police officer, and might be in possession of a gun. Police said they were given photos of Ciccone wearing "police attire" and a badge around his neck.
On Sept. 2, police pulled Ciccone over when they saw his silver Ford Crown Victoria near a Nutley home he used to live in. He was found to be in possession of the badge, handcuffs, a dash cam, flashing light, police scanner, and replica 9 mm Beretta, with two magazines filled with blanks, police said.
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Ciccone was arrested on charges of impersonating a police officer and possession of prohibited weapons and released pending a court hearing, authorities said.
According to police spokesman Det. Sgt. Anthony Montanari, Ciccone did not attempt to interact with anyone while dressed up as a police officer, or "do anything other than share photographs."
Officers pursued the case in an effort to get the gun, which turned out to be a fake, off the streets, police said.
This "was a young man that took the wrong route in his desire to be a police officer," Police Director and Mayor Alphonse Petracco said in a statement about the incident.
"It could've been possible for Ciccone to actually get into law enforcement, however an arrest like this makes it unlikely now."
Authorities declined to release the photos that prompted the investigation.
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.