Detroit 300 volunteer, another man accused of posing as cops - KMSP-TV

"I [have] never seen [any] police around here with [any] guns like that," a neighbor said.  "It just didn't seem right."

Neighbors say early Friday afternoon two men, one identified as Ezra Gray, a volunteer for the Detroit 300, tried to raid a house to get back what they thought was stolen property.  Allegedly they claimed to be police officers and one of them had an antique rifle.

"All I heard was, 'I don't have [a] problem with you searching my house, but how you came, I don't who you [are], so you don't have [a] warrant.  You're not getting in.'"

"It's his house.  He's got the right to protect his house," another neighbor said.

Neighbors told investigators that the man who lives there was taking care of another neighbor, who recently passed away and that the dying man left few of his belongings as a token of thanks, but his family wanted the stuff back and asked for the Detroit 300 for help.

In a statement, the Detroit 300 says, "We do not know all of the facts.  Mr. Ezra Gray is a citizen volunteer with The Detroit 300.  We do not have a membership.  Nevertheless, ALL volunteers with The Detroit 300 must sign a volunteer registration form that clearly states that volunteers must act in accordance with the laws of the State of Michigan and The Detroit 300 By-laws and resolutions.  Any volunteer that act contrary to said laws are acting on behalf of themselves and NOT The Detroit 300.   The Detroit 300 is organized like volunteers on Angel's Night in the City of Detroit.  We ask people to come and help us walk neighborhoods to gather information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of people who commit violent crimes against seniors, women and children. People see us on the street and walk out of their homes and join us. Whosoever will -- let him or her come and help -- and we pray his or heart is in the right place."

On his volunteer registration form, 47-year-old Ezra Gray says he has a concealed pistol license and describes himself as an expert in martial arts, bomb handling and army and firearm tactics.

Neighbors say this could have ended much differently.

"It would've been an all out shootout for real because you [come to] somebody's door with a gun talking about you [are] the police when you're really not, you don't know what that man [has] got in his house."

Both men are facing several felony charges, including felony possession of a firearm, felony home invasion and impersonating a police officer, which is also a felony.