Troopers say the man they

arrested was impersonating a police officer. And he had marijuana in his vehicle. And pepper spray and a knife. Oh, and a live raccoon, too. Yes, of course, this happened here in Florida.

PORT ST. LUCIE — A man found with marijuana and a live raccoon in his truck was arrested over the weekend after it appeared he was trying to stop another vehicle on Interstate 95 near Gatlin Boulevard, an affidavit states.

Nicholas Kotarski, 37, of Jupiter, was arrested on charges including false impersonation of officials, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, possession of not more than 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug equipment after the Saturday incident on I-95.

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper on I-95 spotted a Ford F-150 truck with amber lights on the roof and elsewhere turned on. The truck at one point was less than a car length away from the vehicle in front of it.

“The way the F-150 was driving and the distance ap- peared that the vehicle was attempting to stop the other vehicle,” an affidavit states.

A logo stated “State of Florida,” and there also was a seal similar to that of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “Wildlife specialist” was under the seal.

The trooper stopped the truck, and smelled marijuana. The driver, Kotarski, wore a tactical vest with a silver badge with “State of Florida” on it. Pepper spray bottles, a radio, a knife and patches with “search and rescue” were on the vest.

Kotarski and the passenger, Jeffrey Kavney, 37, said they’d smoked marijuana. A bag of pot and a pipe were in the truck, as were pills that Kotarski said he was prescribed.

An animal trap with a raccoon in it was in the truck’s rear.

Kotarski reported having a contract with a stadium to remove nuisance squirrels. He said he put out traps, catching the raccoon. He said the lights were on “because of the raccoon in transport.”

He said he had the badge, markings and gear to look professional. The FHP reported it made it look like he was attempting “to pass off as an officer of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.”

“We’ve had people that have impersonated a police officer by trying to stop people but this is obviously a little different,” said Sgt. Mark Wysocky, FHP spokesman.

Kotarski was cited by a wildlife officer related to transporting the raccoon, which the wildlife officer seized.

Kavney was issued a notice to appear in court in connection with the marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Kotarski was released Sunday from the St. Lucie County jail on $20,250 bail, a jail official said Monday.