Police say man claimed to be officer while offering teen a ride  

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Raimundo Donascimento

NAUGATUCK — Police arrested a man claiming to be an off-duty police officer who allegedly tried to convince a girl to get into his car.

A 16-year-old girl told police that at about 8 p.m. Monday she was riding a bicycle on High Street near Calvin Street when a man, whom she didn’t know, drove up to her and asked several times if she wanted a ride.

The girl told him more than once she didn’t want a ride, according to police. The man claimed to be an off-duty police officer, but said he didn’t have his badge with him, the girl told police.

When the girl screamed, a passer-by stopped and called police, according to police.

On Wednesday, police charged Raimundo Donascimento, 35, with breach of peace, impersonation of a police officer and second-degree reckless endangerment in connection to the incident.

Donascimento, who does not have a criminal record, was arraigned Thursday in Waterbury Superior Court where Judge Jon Alander reduced his bond to a promise to appear. A court bail commissioner said Donascimento is a Brazilian native who is married with three children.

His attorney, Ioannis Kaloidis, said that Donascimento denied the allegations against him. His client cooperated with authorities and went to the police station to “resolve” the incident after his wife saw news about it on the television, Kaloidis said. He also provided authorities with his cellphone, according to Kaloidis.

Donascimento is due back in court next month.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated from the original post to include arraignment information.