NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A convicted felon out of Williamson County is already out on bond after being arrested in Nashville early Wednesday morning for charges related to impersonating an officer multiple times in recent weeks.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), 31-year-old Leart Bytyqi was identified as the man driving a Nissan Pathfinder who tried to pull over a driver on White Bridge Pike by flashing a badge out the car window on Thursday, Feb. 20. Even though the Pathfinder reportedly had lightbars in the front and rear windows, “appearing to the driver and his passenger that it was possibly an undercover police vehicle,” they did not stop.
Officials said Bytyqi—who is familiar to local law enforcement from similar encounters—was charged last year for carrying a weapon on school property after showing up to John Overton High School with a vest labeled “Officer Protective Services” and a duty belt equipped with a Taser, pepper spray, and handcuffs. He was forced to turn those items in to the MNPD property room, but the charge was retired in General Sessions Court until August.
Then, on Tuesday, Feb. 25, patrol officers stopped Bytyqi for a traffic infraction while he allegedly had a ballistic vest, duty belt, and a realistic BB gun. Authorities said he told them he was a security guard. While he’s licensed through the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance as an unarmed security guard, he’s prohibited from carrying a weapon based on his prior felony conviction.
Police said they took Bytyqi into custody at his South Nashville home on Wednesday, Feb. 26, charging him with impersonation of a licensed professional, criminal impersonation of a law enforcement officer, and two counts of attempted false imprisonment.
According to officials, Bytyqi was released on a $12,500 bond just a few hours after being booked.
