Police were called after someone at a Wayne County business was contacted by a man impersonating Wayne County Sheriff Raphael Washington in an attempt to get money from him.
The incident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 12 and was reported by a doctor at the Woodhaven Animal Hospital.
According to police, the conversation was recorded and officers have a telephone number associated with the call.
It is being investigated.
The doctor told officers that the first call came through on the hospital’s business line at about 11:47 a.m. that day.
Records show that the caller identified himself as Raphael Washington and said he needed to speak with the veterinarian, mentioning him by name, regarding an urgent matter.
They did not connect at that time.
The veterinarian received a second call on his personal cellphone.
When he answered the call, the caller again identified himself as Raphael Washington and informed the doctor that he missed jury duty and has a warrant for contempt of court.
The veterinarian informed the man he never received a jury summons and the caller said a jury summons was sent to an address in Hazel Park, however, the doctor said he never lived in Hazel Park.
The caller told the veterinarian that he needed to get in his car and drive to the sheriff’s office immediately or deputies would be sent to his place of employment.
He also told the veterinarianwhen he arrives he is not to get out of his vehicle until a $5,000 contempt of court warrant is paid.
Police said a background check through the law enforcement information network showed that the veterinarian does not have any outstanding warrants.
The detective bureau is investigating the case.
Former police officer to take his excessive force case to trial in Macomb County
Rochester High School graduate wins top prize for video storytelling
Breakfast is booming at US restaurants. Is it also contributing to high egg prices?