Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents arrested a Vidalia man who they said lied about being a police officer during a ride-along with a Candler County sheriff’s deputy.

Christopher Cody McGlashan, 24, was arrested Aug. 7 on charges of making false statements and writings and impersonating an officer, according to a report released by Candler County Sheriff’s Capt. Justin Wells.

John Durden, special agent-in-charge of the GBI Region 5 Office in Statesboro, said McGlashan asked to go on a ride-a-long with the deputy because he was interested in employment as a deputy. Civilian citizens are allowed to participate in law enforcement ride-alongs. However, they are not allowed by law to falsely claim to be law enforcement officers.

Durden said as deputies conversed with McGlashan during the ride and interviews, they became suspicious. McGlashan reportedly claimed to have been a Bloomingdale police officer, and “talked about cases he had handled and stops he had made,” Durden said.

MGlashan also made written statements and sent texts to a deputy that included his fraudulent claim to have been a Bloomingdale officer, he said.

But when Candler County Sheriff John MiIes requested the GBI to investigate, agents learned McGlashan was never a police officer, anywhere

When confronted, McGlashan “said he made a mistake,” Durden said. “He admitted (the crimes) and said he just wanted to be a policeman.”  A conviction of the charges would likely mean McGlashan might never realize that dream, he said.

McGlashan was charged and taken to the Candler County Jail, where he awaits further court action.

 Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at 912-489-9414.