IMPD East District Officers Make an Arrest on a Female for Impersonating a Police Officer

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) East district detectives identified and arrested a suspect for her alleged impersonating of a police officer along with robbery and gun charges. 

On December 1, 2021, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) East district officers were dispatched to a report of a female who had posed as a police officer at the Mini Mart convenience store at 3402 E. 10^th Street and stolen items.  The female had identified herself as a police officer, presented a badge, and demanded payment from the clerk.  The female suspect then took money and merchandise from the business before leaving on foot.  She also stole the clerk’s handgun from behind the counter. She then told the clerk that she would be back and he would pay her to keep out of trouble.

The next day, December 2, 2021, officers were notified that the female was back at the business.  East district officers quickly located the female suspect, identified as 38-year-old Tyjwania Spradley, in the vehicle that she was seen driving away from the business.  She was located a few blocks away from the scene in the 1300 block of N. Dearborn Street.  Officers conducted a stop on the vehicle that Spradley was driving and Spradley tossed the badge she used to impersonate an officer out of the vehicle window as she was stopped by officers.

East district detectives responded to the scene, and after further investigation, arrested Spradley for impersonating a law enforcement officer, robbery, and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.  Spradley also had an active warrant for theft with a prior conviction.  The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) will determine all final charges.

Anyone with information on criminal activity can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317.262.8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.  Citizens can also download the mobile P3tips app for Apple or Android phones to submit a mobile tip, or go to www.CrimeTips.org to submit a web tip. You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000 if the information leads to a felony arrest.  Only tips submitted directly and anonymously to Crime Stoppers are eligible for these cash rewards.

A charge of a crime is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.