Fake cop meets real cops

Weylin Spradley, the guy who has been posing as a cop, turned himself in to the police on Friday but said he's just misunderstood. Police were hunting Spradley last week because he wears an official-looking police-type uniform and had his Chevy Impala done up with official-looking graphics for South Ridge Emergency Services, a nonexistent security company. The real police became worried that people might mistake Spradley for a police officer — yeah, ya think? Spradley has a history of dressing up as a cop and even racked up a conviction for impersonating a public servant, but he told KPRC the fuzz has it all wrong:

"They tried the same stuff back in 2001. They got me to convict — to take probation and from there, I lost it. But, this time, I've done nothing wrong. I didn't do anything wrong back then, but I was younger and I was scared. This time I’m going to fight them," Spradley said.

Spradley said he was only trying to start his own business selling security equipment.

Ah yes, of course. In an interview with the Chronicle this weekend, Spradley said he had tried to start a business called "South Ridge Disaster Response," but he "didn't have the funds to get it where [he] wanted it to be." As for the graphics job on his car, which he paid for with a fake government check:

He declined to comment about why he had a 2002 white Chevrolet Impala painted with stripes, lettering and an emblem for "South Ridge Emergency Services." Police said the car, painted on Nov. 28 at a Houston automobile graphics shop, also had "Assistant Chief" and "911" painted on it.

"I did have a car like that at one point. To be honest with you, I haven't had that vehicle in quite a while. They are trying to claim that I was impersonating emergency medical service personnel," Spradley said.

Spradley is due in court Friday on charges of impersonating a public servant. The Chronicle reported he also has outstanding warrants for theft by check and a parole violation.

Update: Even though Spradley posted a $5,000 bond Friday, police consider him to still be at large, KHOU reports: "What he’s doing scares me," an HPD sergeant said. [video]