Report: Pretend Cop Flashes New Canaan Animal Control Badge

Two New Haven residents, one armed with a gun the other with a New Canaan Animal Control officer badge, were arrested Thursday after they allegedly pulled over a Hamden couple on Waite Street, Hamden, with one claiming to be a police officer.

Police got the call at about 5 p.m. Thursday of threatening with a handgun, according to Hamden Police spokesman Capt. Ronald Smith. 

The Hamden couple, which had an infant in their car, told Officer Tim McKeon that the other car had been following them "agressively" in the area of Ridge Road, Hamden, Smith said.

The driver of the other car, who police identified as Anja Celikovic, 28, of 69 Farren Ave., New Haven, identified herself as a police officer and told the couple to pull over, Smith said. The couple complied. 

They told police that Celikovic was yelling at them when a man, who police identified as Jorge Tirado, 22, of 214 West St., New Haven, got out of her car, holding a gun at his side, Smith said. The couple then called police.

Police seized the gun, a .40 caliber Glock, Smith said, as well as Naugatuck and New Canaan Animal Control badges that Celikovic had in her possession.

Celikovic was charged with impersonating a police officer and second-degree breach of peace. Tirado was charged with second-degree breach of peace.

Both were released after posting $1,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court Sept. 22.