West Lampeter Township man charged with impersonating park ranger waives preliminary hearing

A West Lampeter Township man charged with impersonating a park ranger and threatening to fine park-goers will have his case proceed to county court after waiving his preliminary hearing last week.

Zachary Michael Bernhardt, of the first block of Hemlock Drive, waived his preliminary hearing before Judge William Benner on Aug. 13 on a single count of impersonating a public servant.

Bernhardt, 26, is accused of pretending to be a park ranger and threatening to impose fines on two women at a park in the first block of Exhibit Farm Road in West Lampeter Township the afternoon of July 23.

One victim told police Bernhardt had approached her around noon, claiming he was a park ranger and that he was enforcing a new law requiring dogs to be on leashes under penalty of a citation and $300 fine. When the victim asked for Bernhardt’s badge number he provided her with a random sequence of numbers.

A second victim told police Bernhardt approached her at the same park and said she owed him $300 for her dog being off its leash, claiming he was a park ranger, officer and member of ICE.

Both victims reported Bernhardt to an actual park ranger, who contacted police. The victims also provided photographs of Bernhardt, which park rangers used to identify him based on prior interactions.

Judge Benner set Bernhardt’s bail at $10,000 unsecured. Bernhardt is currently free on that amount.

As part of his bail conditions, Bernhardt is banned from the park where the incident took place and must have no contact with either victim.

West Lampeter Township Police Officer Mason Eshleman filed the charges.

First Deputy Assistant District Attorney Cody Wade will prosecute the case.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.