GREENFIELD — A New Hampshire man is being held on $3,000 bail after authorities say he was stopped in Bernardston while wearing a tactical vest and in possession of firearms and knives while impersonating a police officer in a decommissioned cruiser.

Brendon L. Douglas, 21, of Hooksett, New Hampshire, was arraigned earlier in the week in Greenfield District Court and pleaded not guilty to three counts of carrying a dangerous weapon and single counts of impersonating a police officer, carrying a loaded firearm without a license, using body armor during a felony, possession of ammunition with an FID card, unlawful possession of a large-capacity firearm or feeding device, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, having an uninsured motor vehicle and having an unregistered motor vehicle. He is due back in court for a pretrial hearing on July 14.

According to a police report filed by Bernardston Police Officer Jordan Zukowski, he was on patrol in the Church Street area at around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday when he saw a blue and white Ford Crown Victoria with a push bumper and a light bar. A push bumper allows a police cruiser to be used as a battering ram, and a light bar is the light affixed to the top of a cruiser. Zukowski said a query of the license plate revealed the registration had been canceled. He initiated a traffic stop when the Crown Victoria pulled into the Sunoco gas station on Church Street.

Zukowski said he approached the vehicle and observed that the driver, later identified as Douglas, was wearing a tactical load-bearing vest plated to protect against rifle rounds. Zukowski also saw that Douglas’ vest had a radio, with a shoulder microphone, and a faded metal badge was attached to the vest. According to Zukowski’s report, there was also a small pouch with the handles of three double-edged daggers sticking out, and he observed Douglas was carrying handcuffs. Douglas also had a black handgun — a Smith & Wesson M&P9 — in a holster on his right hip, according to Zukowski.

Douglas reportedly told Zukowski he didn’t know the whereabouts of his license and registration because he was borrowing the car from a friend, though he later said he bought the vehicle from a friend he was unable to name. Zukowski later found the vehicle’s bill of sale, as well as a whip and a tactical helmet inside the vehicle.

Douglas reportedly told Zukowski he was in Massachusetts because he was driving to Washington state for work. He said he planned to cut through Vermont into New York. According to Zukowski’s report, upon being told that Massachusetts is not on that route, Douglas stated he had gotten lost.

Zukowski reported Douglas told him he carries police-style gear because there is a lot of violence in Manchester, New Hampshire. He also told Zukowski he runs his own security company and was driving to Washington state for a counselor position.

“Douglas’ answers were nonsensical, as his story was porous,” Zukowski wrote in his report. “I confronted Douglas about the inconsistencies in his story and how it made little sense. Douglas stated his story was the truth.”

Zukowski also reported he found no clothing or suitcases in the vehicle, furthering his suspicion that Douglas was not on a cross-country trip. He told Zukowski he likes to help people, especially if their vehicles break down on the side of the road, and he wears tactical gear in case someone attacks him while he is trying to help.

Bernardston Police Officer Thomas Chabot reported he spoke with a Hooksett Police lieutenant in New Hampshire, who advised him that his department has had dozens of interactions with Douglas for reported stalking, harassment, criminal mischief and other offenses. There has also been a warrant arrest in which Douglas reportedly had a baton, handcuffs, a concealed firearm with rubber bullets and several knives.

Speaking in Greenfield District Court on Friday before Judge William F. Mazanec III, Assistant District Attorney Aidan Lanciani, who is prosecuting the case for the state, mentioned that authorities also found 49 rounds of ammunition and a handwritten note in Douglas’ vehicle that has the prosecution concerned about a risk of suicide.

Douglas was represented by attorney Chrisiant Bracken for the matter of bail on Friday, but Elizabeth Johnson has been appointed to handle his defense going forward.

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.

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