Ormond Man Charged With DUI, Impersonating LEO & Drug Possession

Daytona Beach Shores, FL – An Ormond Beach man is now facing multiple charges, including impersonating a law enforcement officer, following a traffic stop in Daytona Beach Shores. Late Friday night (November 13th), an officer with the Daytona Beach Shores Department of Public Safety watched as a gray motorcycle failed to proceed forward during a green light at Atlantic Avenue and Dunlawton Avenue. Eventually, the motorcycle moved forward and quickly accelerated away from the officer. The officer watched as the speed of the bike fluctuated between 20 mph and 41 mph in a 35 mph zone. The officer also noticed the bike swerving heavily as it traveled northbound in the right lane, before swerving between both the left and right lanes, which was recorded on the officer’s dash cam. After seeing this, and watching the bike accelerate to 52 mph in the 35 mph zone, the officer initiated a traffic stop. As the officer approached, the driver—who has been identified as 60-year-old James Di Polito—was asked to show his license and registration. As he reached for his license, he began to surreptitiously point to three mini police badges that were in his wallet. The officer asked Di Polito if he was an officer, to which he replied that he was a retired reserve officer. The officer began to inquire more about Di Polito’s experience as an officer, asking where he worked. At that time, Di Polito recanted his answer, became extremely nervous and told the officer that he had multiple relatives in law enforcement. When asked about why he lied, Di Polito stated that he got nervous. After reading him his Miranda rights, the officer placed Di Polito under arrest for impersonating a law enforcement officer. During a search following his arrest, the investigating officer found a small piece of aluminum foil wrapped around a blue diamond shaped pill that was later identified as Viagra—which Di Polito did not have a prescription for. The officer also secured a firearm that Di Polito had secured to his left hip, which he also had a concealed weapons permit for. During their interview, the officer began to smell a heavy presence of alcohol on Di Polito’s breath and asked if he had anything to drink. Di Polito replied that he only had two drinks but was adamant about not being too drunk to drive. He later agreed to a series of sobriety tests, which were carried out at the police station. Di Polito has since been charged with DUI, impersonating a police officer and possession of a legend drug without a prescription. He has since bonded out of jail.