Welcome to The True Crime Pod, where we uncover the stories that shake our trust in authority. Tonight's episode contains mentions of unlawful detention and abuse of power.

Imagine driving home in the early hours of a cold December morning. You see flashing lights in your rearview mirror and pull over, expecting to see a police officer. But this traffic stop would prove to be anything but routine.

In the village of Patchogue, Long Island, a disturbing case of authority overreach has recently come to light. On the twenty-ninth of December, two thousand and twenty-four, at five-twenty in the morning, a woman found herself pulled over by what appeared to be a law enforcement officer. The man who stopped her was William Dymond, a thirty-three year old code enforcement officer - but here's the catch: he had absolutely no authority to conduct traffic stops.

What happened next would only be discovered months later, when surveillance footage from a nearby business revealed the troubling encounter. Dymond, going far beyond his jurisdiction, conducted field sobriety tests, making the woman perform the classic 'touch your nose' and walk in a straight line. But rather than calling actual police officers, he took matters into his own hands.

In a shocking turn of events, Dymond handcuffed the woman and placed her in his code enforcement vehicle. Instead of taking her to the police station, he drove her home. The incident might have remained hidden if not for that crucial piece of video evidence that surfaced on March fifteenth.

Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri was crystal clear about the boundaries Dymond had crossed. Code enforcement officers have strict parameters about what they can and cannot do - and conducting traffic stops, especially outside village limits, was completely forbidden.

The investigation led to Dymond's arrest and termination from his position. He now faces multiple charges including falsifying business records, offering a false instrument for filing, unlawful imprisonment, and official misconduct. But perhaps most concerning is the question: was this an isolated incident?

Suffolk County Police are actively seeking other potential victims who may have had similar encounters with Dymond. They've established a dedicated hotline for anyone with information.

This case serves as a stark reminder about the importance of knowing your rights during traffic stops and being aware of who has proper authority to conduct them. If you or someone you know has information about this case or similar incidents, please contact Suffolk County Police.

Before we wrap up, I want to remind our listeners to stay vigilant and informed. You can find more resources about your rights during traffic stops on our website at thetruecrimepod.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Until next time, stay safe and stay aware.