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Covington man faces new charge for allegedly impersonating federal agent

By Howard B. Owens

A 41-year-old Covington man already facing charges out of the Town of Batavia for allegedly trying to pass himself off as a federal law enforcement agent was arrested by Le Roy Police on Monday on a similar charge.

Nikko C. Gambino, of Morrow Road, Convington, was arraigned in Le Roy Town Court and jailed on $750 on a charge of criminal impersonation, 2nd.

Gambino is accused of entering a Le Roy business some time in September allegedly dressed as a federal agent and directing an employee of that business to make a phone call under his pretend authority.

Three weeks ago, Gambino was arrested by the Sheriff's Office for allegedly attempting the same ruse in Walmart. A search of his residence reportedly found articles of clothing with law enforcement markings and a metal badge.

Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster said it isn't really clear why Gambino has allegedly attempted to enter retail outlets and pass himself off as a federal agent.

"He's refusing to talk, but we we think it is some sort of diversion," Brewster said. "He wants to draw attention to himself while his accomplice attempts to steal something. We haven't been able to confirm that with surveillance tapes and nothing has been reported stolen. At this point, it's just a guess."

On the arrest out of the Town of Batavia, Gambino was charged with two counts of criminal impersonation, 2nd, and one count of falsely reporting an incident.

He was initially jailed on $5,000 bail.

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