Police: Iowan Pretended to be Detective in Theft

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By Kara Kelly

Story Created: Jul 4, 2012 at 5:44 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 4, 2012 at 5:44 PM CDT

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (AP) — Police say a Marshalltown man pretended to be a police detective during a robbery in which he stole a man's backpack and cash.

Police said Tuesday that 38-year-old William Hartley approached a 20-year-old man in the backyard of a home, told him he was a police detective, and ordered him to enter the house.

The Marshalltown Times-Republican says Hartley was dressed similar to how Marshalltown police officers dress. Police say Hartley took the man's backpack, which included coins, $200 in cash and a drug pipe, and fled.

The owner of the home has been accused of working with Hartley and both are charged with second-degree robbery. Hartley is also charged with impersonating a police officer.

Hartley is being held in jail. Court records do not list an attorney.