A Columbus man is awaiting a court appearance on charges of impersonating an officer and attempting to kidnap a woman last week on the east side.
Police say Randall Tharp tried to kidnap a woman on Thursday while she was out walking, and again on Friday outside of her home. Police say the man was wearing a police hat, a gun and a security vest when he twice ordered the woman into his car. She fled both times. Court documents show Tharp was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Fairfield County in 2007 and was classified as a sexual predator.