Hilton Head Plantation officer allegedly posed as a cop. Real cops arrest him

A Hilton Head Plantation security officer was arrested early Thursday morning after allegedly impersonating a police officer in the Hardeeville area, according to a release from Hilton Head Plantation.

Marcus Arnell Brown, 22, was arrested about 5 a.m. at the Cypress Gate entrance to the community by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the release said.

The Hardeeville Police Department informed Hilton Head Plantation management on Wednesday evening that Brown was suspected of impersonating a police officer in its jurisdiction and had obtained a warrant for his arrest, the release said.

Beaufort CountySheriff’s Office made the arrest and booked Brown into the Beaufort County Detention Center around 7 a.m. Thursday, where he was still detained as of 1:15 p.m. Thursday.

He also was issued a No Trespass Order by the Sheriff’s Office, and Hilton Head Plantation officials took his duty weapon, the release said.

Hardeeville Police Chief Sam Woodward said Brown told people in Hardeeville he was a police officer at least once on July 29. Woodward said this isn’t the first time the department has investigated people impersonating police officers.

Hilton Head Plantation general manager Peter Kristian said Brown is no longer employed with the plantation.

Kristian said whenever there’s an arrest, it is reported to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which terminates the person’s SLED credential required for being a security officer.

Brown had worked as a security officer with the plantation for more than a year.

The investigation is ongoing, and he may face other charges, according to the release.

The charge is a misdemeanor. The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette normally do not name those charged with misdemeanor crimes, but the suspect was in a position of public trust and was tasked with protecting residents of the plantation.

This story was originally published August 2, 2018 at 10:30 AM.