Man allegedly impersonates cop, beats woman in racially-motivated attack

CINCINNATI - A bond was set at $10,000 Tuesday for a Northern Kentucky man held on charges that he impersonated a police officer in a bold, racially-based attack in Over-the-Rhine.

Cincinnati police arrested 28-year-old Curtis Brant of Burlington, Ky. on Monday after he allegedly walked up to a woman who was sitting in her car and beat her repeatedly while yelling racial insults on Dec. 18, 2011. Authorities say his hatred towards African Americans was the motive for this bizarre attack. 

Police say the crime happened on Pleasant Street in Over-the-Rhine. Brant allegedly approached the woman's car with a flash light and said he was a police officer. He opened the car door and repeatedly punched the victim and threatened to kill her, according to police.

Police say the woman was injured, and they have been looking for Brant since the incident.

Brant is being held at the Boone County Jail on several warrants based in Hamilton County.  Brant waived his extradition and was locked up at the Hamilton County Justice Center awaiting Tuesday's hearing.

Brant is charged with impersonating a police officer and with ethnic intimidation because of the racial motive.