Hamptons 'Presidential' Motorcade With Trump Impersonator Pulled Over; Replica Cadillac Impounded

A replica presidential limousine driven through the Hamptons as part of a Trump-themed outing drew police attention after the staged procession began affecting traffic, Southampton Village authorities said.

What Happened

Southampton Village police say a caravan organized by the Setauket Patriots — which included a Donald Trump impersonator, a column of dark vehicles and a person dressed to resemble a Secret Service agent — traveled through intersections with red-and-blue emergency-style lights activated, causing other motorists to yield. Officers stopped the procession, impounded the faux presidential Cadillac and issued multiple summonses, local outlets reported.

Who Was Involved

The vehicle was linked to the Setauket Patriots, a Long Island group known for staging Trump-themed caravans and impersonator appearances. Founder James Robitsek told CBS New York the group had been driving around the Hamptons "for a day of fun." Police identified the driver as Barry Armato, 62, of Lindenhurst; News 12 reported he received summonses for switched plates, failure to display registration, lack of a front plate and unauthorized red-and-blue lights.

Robitsek, 58, was at the scene and was described by police as wearing a black shirt emblazoned with the words "Police Secret Service," despite having no known affiliation with the federal agency.

What Police Found

During an inventory of the Cadillac, officers reported finding six fake Washington, D.C., license plates, one fake New York plate and what authorities described as a fake shotgun. The Cadillac was one of two presidential-limousine replicas owned by the group; Robitsek said the firearm was a prop. The group’s attorney, John Scott Prudenti, told CBS New York that the organization operates in the entertainment business and attributed the license-plate irregularities to an oversight by the vehicle’s operator.

Legal Context

Local summonses stem from vehicle and equipment violations related to the Cadillac’s lights, plates and registration. Authorities also notified the U.S. Secret Service. Federal law does prohibit falsely representing oneself as a federal officer under 18 U.S.C. § 912 if a person acts with the authority of that office or uses the pretense to obtain something of value; 18 U.S.C. § 913 covers impersonation while arresting, detaining or searching someone. Police have said those statutes do not automatically mean a federal crime occurred in this incident.

Next Steps

The Setauket Patriots are seeking the return of the replica limousine. CBS New York reported that court summonses related to the incident are scheduled for Sept. 15.

Bottom line: What organizers describe as an entertainment stunt crossed into public-safety territory when a staged "motorcade" used emergency-style lights on public roads, prompting police action and an impoundment.